Defense & Military
Northrop Grumman Unveils Project Talon For Autonomous Combat Drones
Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon focuses on affordable mass production of stealth autonomous drones, targeting first flight in late 2026.
This article is based on an official press release and public announcement from Northrop Grumman.
On December 4, 2025, Northrop Grumman officially unveiled Project Talon, a new autonomous Military-Aircraft initiative designed to redefine the concept of the “loyal wingman.” Developed in partnership with its subsidiary, Scaled Composites, the project represents a strategic pivot for the aerospace giant as it targets the growing demand for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
According to the company’s announcement, Project Talon is engineered specifically to deliver “affordable mass”, a design philosophy that prioritizes low production costs and rapid manufacturing without sacrificing the high-end performance required for modern aerial warfare. The aircraft is expected to make its First-Flight in late 2026, approximately nine months from its unveiling.
Project Talon emerges directly from the lessons learned during the U.S. Air Force’s CCA Increment One program competition. While Northrop Grumman’s initial offering was praised for its performance, feedback indicated it was too complex and expensive for a system intended to be “attritable”, meaning affordable enough to be lost in combat without catastrophic financial impact.
In response, Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites have engineered Project Talon to be significantly leaner. Company data indicates the new airframe is approximately 1,000 pounds lighter than the previous Increment One offering. Furthermore, the Manufacturing process has seen drastic efficiency improvements:
Tom Jones, President of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, emphasized that the goal was to prove the company could combine high performance with speed and affordability. regarding the development process, Jones stated:
“The outcome we’re shooting for was the process: How do we design and build things that perform at a high level, but that we can build quickly now and can do affordably?”
— Tom Jones, President, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
Project Talon features a distinct, stealth-oriented configuration. The airframe utilizes a lambda wing (resembling the Greek letter Λ) and a V-tail, paired with a dorsal trapezoid-shaped air inlet. This design keeps the underside of the aircraft smooth, a critical feature for evading radar detection. The fuselage is described as long and slender with a “squared nose,” giving it the appearance of a miniature, pilotless fighter jet.
The aircraft is powered by a single turbofan engine. While Northrop Grumman has not disclosed the specific engine model for Project Talon, the company noted that the related Model 437 demonstrator utilizes a Pratt & Whitney 535, which generates approximately 3,400 pounds of thrust. This suggests Project Talon will utilize a similar class of Propulsion. For combat operations, the Drones is equipped with modular internal weapons bays. These bays are capable of carrying a variety of payloads, including sensors, decoys, or kinetic weapons such as AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
At the core of Project Talon’s operational capability is Northrop’s “Prism” autonomy Software architecture. This system allows the aircraft to operate collaboratively with crewed fighters, executing complex maneuvers and mission sets with minimal human intervention.
Northrop Grumman has clarified the distinction between several related terms often used in their autonomous systems portfolio:
The branding of “Project Talon” is a deliberate and significant nod to Northrop’s heritage. The name references the Northrop T-38 Talon, a legendary jet trainer that has served the U.S. Air Force for decades. The T-38 is renowned for being high-performance yet simple, affordable, and easy to maintain, exactly the qualities Northrop Grumman hopes to imbue in this new drone.
By achieving “Weight on Wheels” in just 15 months, Northrop is signaling to the Pentagon that it has successfully adopted digital engineering to accelerate timelines. While the company missed the CCA Increment One contract, this rapid turnaround positions Project Talon as a formidable contender for CCA Increment Two. Furthermore, the confirmation that international partners have already viewed the aircraft suggests Northrop is aggressively targeting the export market, potentially offering a “loyal wingman” solution to allies who cannot access the highly classified U.S. programs.
When will Project Talon fly? Is Project Talon the same as the Model 437? What weapons can it carry? Sources:
Northrop Grumman Unveils Project Talon: A New Vision for “Affordable Mass” in Autonomous Combat
Strategic Pivot: From Complexity to Affordability
Technical Specifications and Design
Propulsion and Payload
Autonomy and Software
Distinguishing the Programs: Talon, Beacon, and Model 437
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Northrop Grumman targets the first flight for late 2026.
No. Project Talon is the uncrewed combat drone designed for production. The Model 437 is a demonstrator aircraft used to test technologies that will go into Talon.
It features internal bays designed for modular payloads, including air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM, as well as sensors and decoys.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Defense & Military
Archer and Karem Collaborate on Hybrid Military VTOL Aircraft
Archer Aviation teams with Karem Aircraft to develop a hybrid-electric VTOL using military-grade tiltrotor tech for defense and long-range missions.
This article is based on an official press release from Archer Aviation. See the original release for full details.
Archer Aviation has announced an exclusive collaboration with Karem Aircraft to develop a next-generation hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. According to the company’s official statement, this partnership aims to integrate Karem’s military-grade Optimum Speed Tiltrotor (OSTR) technology into a new platform designed specifically for defense applications and long-range commercial missions.
This agreement marks a significant expansion of Archer’s strategic focus. While the company continues to certify its all-electric “Midnight” air taxi for urban mobility, this new initiative targets the high-performance requirements of the U.S. military. By combining Archer’s electric powertrain and manufacturing capabilities with Karem’s advanced rotor designs, the companies intend to deliver a “dual-use” aircraft capable of speeds, ranges, and payloads that exceed the limits of current battery-only technology.
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the integration of Karem Aircraft’s proprietary Optimum Speed Tiltrotor (OSTR) technology. Traditional tiltrotors often face aerodynamic compromises, requiring a balance between the high rotor speeds needed for vertical lift and the lower speeds preferred for efficient forward flight. According to the technical details released regarding the partnership, OSTR solves this by allowing rotors to vary their RPM significantly between flight modes.
By utilizing OSTR, the proposed aircraft can maintain high RPM for hover and switch to lower RPM for quiet, efficient cruise flight. The press release notes that this technology has already been validated by the U.S. Army through the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstration (JMR-TD) program. The expected benefits include higher top speeds, extended range through improved fuel efficiency, and a reduced acoustic signature, a critical factor for operating in contested military airspace.
This collaboration is part of a broader strategy by Archer to assemble a coalition of defense-focused technologies. The new platform will reportedly combine three distinct layers of innovation:
While Archer’s flagship “Midnight” aircraft is designed for short urban hops of approximately 20 to 50 miles, the new hybrid platform represents a separate product line tailored for heavy logistics and tactical utility. The company indicates that the U.S. military requires “runway-independent” logistics capabilities that battery-electric aircraft cannot currently fulfill due to energy density limitations.
To meet these rigorous demands, the new aircraft will utilize a hybrid-electric propulsion system, employing a turbine generator to power electric motors. This configuration offers the vertical agility of a helicopter combined with the range and speed of a fixed-wing airplane. According to the announcement, the targeted payload for this military-focused aircraft is between 1,200 and 2,000+ pounds, significantly higher than the passenger capacity of the Midnight air taxi.
“The U.S. military (specifically the Army) has identified that battery-only eVTOLs lack the range and endurance for tactical logistics and rescue missions.”
The inclusion of Karem Aircraft adds substantial engineering pedigree to Archer’s defense ambitions. Founded by Abe Karem, widely known in the industry as the “Dronefather” for his creation of the Predator drone, Karem Aircraft has a history of developing high-efficiency designs like the A160 Hummingbird. For Archer, this partnership likely serves to de-risk its entry into the defense sector by leveraging proven military tech. Furthermore, the shift toward hybrid propulsion acknowledges a pragmatic reality: while all-electric solutions suit urban air mobility, the energy requirements of military logistics and long-range transport still demand the energy density of fuel-based hybrid systems. The collaboration explicitly targets operations in “contested environments.” The ability to fly low, fast, and quiet is essential for evading radar and acoustic detection. By leveraging electric motors for quiet operations and OSTR for speed, the companies aim to fill a capability gap for the military, providing a logistics platform that does not rely on vulnerable runways.
While the immediate focus remains on defense contracts, Archer has characterized the platform as “dual-use.” This suggests that the hybrid technology developed for the Pentagon could eventually be adapted for commercial markets, potentially serving regional routes that are too long for battery-electric air taxis but too short for traditional commercial jets.
Archer Aviation and Karem Aircraft Partner for Next-Gen Hybrid Military VTOL
Integrating Military-Grade Rotor Technology
Performance and Efficiency Gains
The “Technology Stack” Strategy
A Distinct Platform: Beyond the Midnight
Hybrid Propulsion for Heavy Payloads
AirPro News Analysis
Strategic Implications for Defense
Sources
Photo Credit: Archer
Defense & Military
Applied Aerospace and PCX Aerosystems Merge to Form Defense Hardware Supplier
Applied Aerospace and PCX Aerosystems merged to form Applied Aerospace & Defense, creating a comprehensive aerospace and defense hardware supplier with over 1,300 employees.
This article is based on an official press release from Applied Aerospace & Defense.
On December 3, 2025, Applied Aerospace and PCX Aerosystems announced their formal merger, establishing a new unified entity named Applied Aerospace & Defense. The consolidation brings together two significant portfolio companies of Greenbriar Equity Group, creating a large-scale supplier dedicated to critical hardware for the aerospace, space, and defense sectors.
According to the official announcement, the newly formed company will operate with a workforce of over 1,300 employees and a manufacturing footprint spanning 1.3 million square feet across nine locations. The mergers is designed to integrate the specialized composite capabilities of Applied Aerospace with the precision metal machining expertise of PCX Aerosystems, offering a “one-stop” hardware solution for major industry primes.
Trip Ferguson, formerly the Chief Operating Officer at BlueHalo, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the combined organization. The company will maintain a dual-hub operational structure, keeping major campuses in Stockton, California, and Newington, Connecticut.
The merger addresses a growing demand in the defense industrial base for suppliers capable of delivering complex, hybrid hardware solutions. By uniting these two organizations, Applied Aerospace & Defense aims to bridge the gap between advanced composite manufacturing and high-precision metallurgy.
Prior to the merger, the two companies held distinct but complementary market positions:
The combined entity is positioned to serve a wide range of sectors, including space exploration (launch vehicles and satellites), defense (missile systems and military aircraft), and commercial aviation.
Trip Ferguson takes the helm as CEO, bringing extensive experience from the defense technology sector. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Ferguson previously managed operations at BlueHalo, a company known for its rapid growth in the defense space. In a statement regarding the merger, Ferguson emphasized the company’s commitment to heritage and agility.
“The new Applied Aerospace & Defense is forged in heritage, trusted in action, driven by mission, and engineered for agility. Our blue-chip customers and partners can expect the same experienced team, commitment to quality, and precision hardware… that they have come to trust.”
, Trip Ferguson, CEO of Applied Aerospace & Defense
The company’s operational strategy involves maintaining its legacy headquarters in both California and Connecticut, ensuring continuity for existing programs while leveraging a footprint that now extends across five states, including Washington, Alabama, and Massachusetts.
This merger reflects a broader trend of consolidation within the aerospace supply chain, particularly among private equity-backed firms. Greenbriar Equity Group has effectively built a platform capable of competing for larger “programs of record” by combining niche specialists into a single, more robust entity.
For Tier 1 primes like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, managing a fragmented supply chain has become increasingly difficult amidst global disruptions. A supplier that can handle both the composite airframe structures and the metallic landing gear or propulsion components offers significant logistical advantages. We anticipate that Applied Aerospace & Defense will leverage this scale to bid on more complex, integrated sub-assemblies rather than just individual parts, positioning itself as a critical tier-1.5 supplier in the defense industrial base.
Sources: PR Newswire (Official Press Release)
Applied Aerospace and PCX Aerosystems Merge to Create Defense Hardware Giant
Strategic Rationale: Combining Composites and Metals
Complementary Capabilities
Leadership and Operational Footprint
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: Applied Aerospace
Defense & Military
Leonardo and 2Excel Win RAeS Medal for Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft
Leonardo and 2Excel Aviation were awarded the RAeS Bronze Medal for engineering on the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft supporting the UK’s sixth-generation combat plane.
This article is based on an official press release from Leonardo.
Leonardo and 2Excel Aviation have been jointly awarded the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Team Bronze Medal, a prestigious accolade recognizing their rapid engineering achievements on the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA). Announced on December 2, 2025, the award highlights the successful transformation of a commercial Boeing 757 into a sophisticated “flying laboratory” designed to support the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
The Excalibur project represents a critical component of the UK’s strategy to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft, often referred to as Tempest. According to the official announcement from Leonardo, the RAeS medal specifically honors the “extraordinary efforts,” “pace,” and “agility” demonstrated by the joint team in modifying the airframe to host complex military avionics.
This recognition comes shortly after the team successfully completed the first phase of flight trials, which validated the aerodynamic stability of the aircraft while carrying substantial external modifications.
The Excalibur FTA is a retired Boeing 757-200 commercial airliner that has been heavily modified to test the advanced technology required for future combat scenarios. The primary mission of the aircraft is to de-risk the development of the ISANKE & ICS (Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems) domain.
By utilizing a large commercial airframe, the engineering team can install and test heavy, power-intensive sensors, such as radar, electronic warfare suites, and communications nodes, in a live flight environment long before the actual GCAP fighter prototype takes to the skies. This approach allows for real-time data monitoring by scientists on board the aircraft.
According to the press release and project updates, the award follows the completion of Phase 1 flight trials. These trials focused on safety and aerodynamics, ensuring the aircraft could fly stable with significant structural additions. Key modifications tested during this phase include:
The Royal Aeronautical Society’s decision to award the Team Bronze Medal underscores the effectiveness of the partnership between a major defense prime, Leonardo, and a specialized aviation services SME, 2Excel Aviation. The collaboration is cited by the UK Ministry of Defence as a model for “agile” defense procurement, prioritizing speed and innovation over traditional, slower development cycles.
In the official release, executives from both companies emphasized the unique challenges posed by the program. “This award from the Royal Aeronautical Society recognizes the extraordinary efforts of the team and acknowledges the significant contribution that their work is making to the UK’s future combat air capability. The success of Excalibur reflects the strong partnership between Leonardo and 2Excel. Together, we are helping the programme break new ground while demonstrating pace and agility to meet the ambitious timelines of GCAP.”
, Anthony Todd, Project Chief Engineer, Leonardo
Steve Riley, Executive Director of 2Excel Aviation, noted the historical significance of the engineering pace achieved by the team.
“This programme has presented challenges in the UK aerospace industry that have not been present for decades. The team has met them head-on… demonstrating unparalleled pace throughout.”
, Steve Riley, Executive Director, 2Excel Aviation
The awarding of the RAeS Bronze Medal to the Excalibur team highlights a pivotal shift in how next-generation air dominance platforms are developed. Historically, avionics testing often waited for the availability of a representative military airframe, which could delay systems integration by years. By repurposing a Boeing 757, the GCAP partners are effectively decoupling the sensor development timeline from the airframe development timeline.
We observe that this “digital-first” and “test-early” methodology is essential for meeting the aggressive 2035 service entry target for the Tempest fighter. The ability to fly live sensors in 2025 suggests that the UK and its partners (Italy and Japan) are prioritizing the maturity of the “brain” of the aircraft, the ISANKE & ICS, just as much as the stealth characteristics of the airframe itself.
Leonardo and 2Excel Aviation Awarded RAeS Bronze Medal for Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft
Engineering a Sixth-Generation Testbed
Phase 1 Success and Modifications
Industry Collaboration and Agile Development
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: 2Excel Aviation
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