Northrop Grumman Unveils Project Talon Autonomous Combat Aircraft

Northrop Grumman has unveiled Project Talon, a new autonomous combat aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighters, aiming to cut costs and accelerate mass production for future conflicts.

The aircraft was designed, built, and reached the “weight on wheels” milestone in 15 months through a joint effort between Northrop Grumman and its Scaled Composites subsidiary. First flight is targeted within two years of the project’s start, placing it around late 2026.

Project Talon was accelerated using Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy test ecosystem, which allowed real-world testing of avionics software. The company said the aircraft is about 1,000 pounds lighter than its earlier design, uses a fully composite structure, and has 50 percent fewer parts. These changes shortened construction time by about 30 percent.

Northrop Grumman developed Project Talon after failing to secure a contract in the first phase of the U.S. Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program, where its proposal scored well technically but fell short on affordability.

The company said Project Talon exceeded internal affordability targets while improving performance in several areas, but declined to disclose details on cost, engine type, or technical specifications.

Project Talon is not currently confirmed as Northrop Grumman’s entry for the second phase of the U.S. Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program, which is expected to award concept refinement contracts in early fiscal 2026.

Project Talon was previously known as “Project Lotus,” first reported by Aviation Week in October. The outlet described a long fuselage, a high-mounted air intake, and sharply angled tail surfaces.