Shea Levin — text status

Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue unmanned combat aircraft completed its first fully autonomous flight on October 3, independently taxiing, taking off, maneuvering in flight and landing. The next-generation drone is being developed to fly alongside advanced U.S. fighter jets, including the F-35 and F-22, as well as future NGAD aircraft. Northrop Grumman says the Talon Blue is designed for rapid, lower-cost production using a modular design with fewer components.