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Northrop Grumman • MIN READ

DARPA and Northrop Grumman launch XRQ-73 Shepard hybrid-electric ISR demonstrator at Edwards

DARPA and Northrop Grumman have completed the first flight of the XRQ-73 Shepard, an uncrewed reconnaissance platform designed to demonstrate hybrid-electric propulsion for future autonomous systems. Built with Scaled Composites, the “flying wing” uses electricity generated by a gas turbine to drive an ultra-quiet propulsion system. Flight tests are underway at Edwards Air Force Base.

2026-05-06T10:19:38.902409-07:00

Space Intel Report

Leonardo posts Q1 2026 profit surge, boosts orders and backlog; space unit strength underpins European merger momentum

2026-05-06T12:12:45.865899-07:00

AeroTime

Raytheon, via Blue Raven, books record 120-unit order for SharpSight multi-domain surveillance radars

2026-05-06T13:58:50.496928-07:00

Space Intel Report

SME4Space urges EU protection on competition as “Bromo” space merger draws muted labor pushback

2026-05-06T14:25:15.530771-07:00

News Timeline

Space Intel Report

SME4Space urges EU protection on competition as “Bromo” space merger draws muted labor pushback The SME4Space association says European governments should safeguard competition as a proposed merger combining Airbus Space, Thales Alenia Space and Leonardo Space (“Bromo”) faces stakeholder scrutiny. The report notes labor unions and competitors have shown surprisingly limited negative reaction to date—potentially shaping how political and regulatory momentum develops.

2026-05-06T14:25:15.530771-07:00

SME4Space urges EU protection on competition as “Bromo” space merger draws muted labor pushback

Aviation Week

Departing Leonardo CEO Cingolani presses for continuity as new leadership takes over Roberto Cingolani, Leonardo’s departing CEO, told shareholders and the incoming management team to largely stay the course on the company’s transformation, warning that deviating from the current plan could harm the Italian aerospace and defence group’s future prospects.

2026-05-06T14:00:09.232094-07:00

Departing Leonardo CEO Cingolani presses for continuity as new leadership takes over

AeroTime

Raytheon, via Blue Raven, books record 120-unit order for SharpSight multi-domain surveillance radars Raytheon (RTX) secured its largest order to date for SharpSight radar systems, signing a contract with distributor Blue Raven to produce 120 units for global resale and distribution. The award is positioned as a key step toward expanding worldwide customer access to the new multi-domain surveillance capability.

2026-05-06T13:58:50.496928-07:00

Raytheon, via Blue Raven, books record 120-unit order for SharpSight multi-domain surveillance radars

Via Satellite

Telespazio France to distribute Greenerwave multi-orbit defense terminals in Europe Telespazio France has signed an agreement with Greenerwave to distribute Greenerwave’s multi-orbit terminals for the European defense market. The deal positions multi-orbit terminal supply as a deployable enabler for defense customers seeking resilient connectivity amid ongoing secure-satcom architecture planning.

2026-05-06T13:46:10.306243-07:00

Telespazio France to distribute Greenerwave multi-orbit defense terminals in Europe

Breaking Defense

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent Turkey presented Yıldırımhan—its first domestically developed intercontinental ballistic missile mock-up—at SAHA 2026, describing it as a new long-range deterrence layer. Reporting ties the concept to a claimed 6,000 km class range and notes the country joining a small group able to produce ICBM-scale systems.

2026-05-06T12:36:31.055231-07:00

Turkey unveils “Yıldırımhan” ICBM concept at SAHA 2026, targeting ~6,000 km with conventionally-armed deterrence intent

Space Intel Report

Leonardo posts Q1 2026 profit surge, boosts orders and backlog; space unit strength underpins European merger momentum Leonardo reported Q1 2026 adjusted net profit of €184 million, up 60% year-on-year, alongside higher revenue, EBITDA and orders, and confirmed its full-year guidance. Leonardo Space said all three components of a planned European space-industry merger show continued robust health in 2026, supported by Telespazio’s service business.

2026-05-06T12:12:45.865899-07:00

Leonardo posts Q1 2026 profit surge, boosts orders and backlog; space unit strength underpins European merger momentum

Breaking Defense

Lockheed challenges Northrop bid to lift 2018 consent-order “firewall” affecting solid rocket motor scaling Lockheed Martin is opposing Northrop Grumman’s effort to remove a 2018 consent-order firewall that Northrop says is constraining its ability to ramp solid rocket motor production for critical munitions. The dispute highlights how legacy regulatory remedies can limit near-term industrial capacity expansion.

2026-05-06T11:42:11.110301-07:00

Lockheed challenges Northrop bid to lift 2018 consent-order “firewall” affecting solid rocket motor scaling

Northrop Grumman

DARPA and Northrop Grumman launch XRQ-73 Shepard hybrid-electric ISR demonstrator at Edwards DARPA and Northrop Grumman have completed the first flight of the XRQ-73 Shepard, an uncrewed reconnaissance platform designed to demonstrate hybrid-electric propulsion for future autonomous systems. Built with Scaled Composites, the “flying wing” uses electricity generated by a gas turbine to drive an ultra-quiet propulsion system. Flight tests are underway at Edwards Air Force Base.

2026-05-06T10:19:38.902409-07:00

DARPA and Northrop Grumman launch XRQ-73 Shepard hybrid-electric ISR demonstrator at Edwards

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

DARPA and Northrop Grumman launch XRQ-73 Shepard hybrid-electric ISR demonstrator at Edwards

Leonardo posts Q1 2026 profit surge, boosts orders and backlog; space unit strength underpins European merger momentum

Raytheon, via Blue Raven, books record 120-unit order for SharpSight multi-domain surveillance radars

SME4Space urges EU protection on competition as “Bromo” space merger draws muted labor pushback

News Timeline