UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Northrop Grumman • MIN READ

DARPA and Northrop Grumman start flight testing XRQ-73 hybrid-electric uncrewed demonstrator under SHEPARD

DARPA and Northrop Grumman have test-flown the XRQ-73 “Shepard” hybrid-electric flying-wing prototype at Edwards Air Force Base, using an ultra-quiet electric propulsion system powered by electricity generated from a gas turbine. The program follows DARPA’s X-Prime work and comes nearly two years after Northrop completed XRQ-73 assembly.

Also: aviationnews.eu, FlightGlobal, Aviation Week, defence-blog.com and 3 more
2026-05-06T10:19:38.902409-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Raytheon secures major SharpSight radar order in global distribution deal

By AeroTime: Raytheon will produce 120 SharpSight radars under a deal with distributor Blue Raven that is aimed at expanding global access to the surveillance system.

Also: Seeking Alpha and defence-industry.eu
2026-05-06T13:58:50.496928-07:00
Event   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Agnes Helou

Turkey rolls out intercontinental missile with purported 6,000km range

By Breaking Defense: The ICBM would add a "crucial layer of deterrence" to Turkey's military arsenal, a defense analyst told Breaking Defense.

Also: Times of India and defcrosnews.com
2026-05-06T12:36:31.055231-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
politico.eu • Victor Goury-Laffont

French aircraft carrier crosses Suez as Paris eyes Hormuz mission

By politico.eu: France wants to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strait but is wary of getting involved in the war.

Also: al-monitor.com, The Independent, Times of India and 9 more
2026-05-06T08:21:25.875536-07:00