DARPA Builds XRQ-73 Hybrid Electric X-Plane Drone for Future War
OLAWALE ABAIRE, WARRIOR CONTRIBUTORJUL 9, 2024
By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has recently announced the official X-plane designation of its newest hybrid-electric uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), the XRQ-73, under the Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) program.
The SHEPARD program, managed by Steve Komadina, aims to mature a specific propulsion architecture and power class, leveraging the series hybrid electric architecture and component technologies from the earlier AFRL/IARPA Great Horned Owl (GHO) project. This "X-prime" program seeks to rapidly integrate emerging technologies, reducing system-level risks and paving the way for the quick fielding of a new missionized long-endurance aircraft design.
According to Komadina, "The idea behind a DARPA X-prime program is to take emerging technologies and burn down system-level integration risks to a new missionized long-endurance aircraft design that can be fielded quickly."
https://warriormaven.com/air/darpa-builds-xrq-73-hybrid-electric-x-plane-drone-for-future-war