An experimental US tactical stealth drone called the XRQ-73 has made its first flight in California. The US military announced that the stealth drone combines electric and jet fuel propulsion to improve efficiency. The design of the drone resembles other stealth aircraft, such as the B-2 Spirit and the RQ-170 Sentinel.
The US military’s defense technology agency revealed on Wednesday that it successfully flew an experimental hybrid-electric drone known as the XRQ-73, testing a next-generation propulsion system for longer and quieter flights. The drone, developed by Northrop Grumman, was tested at Edwards Air Force Base in California in April, according to a statement from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
This new technology uses a combination of electric and jet-fuel propulsion, which is intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, enhancing stealth capabilities. Most medium- to long-range military drones rely on jet engines or propellers.
“This milestone is not just about a single flight,” said Lt. Col. Clark McGehee, the program’s manager. “The architecture proven by the XRQ-73 paves the way for new types of mission systems and delivered effects.”
Photos of the XRQ-73 show that its exterior design closely resembles that of other stealth aircraft, such as Northrop Grumman’s B-2 Spirit bomber or Lockheed Martin’s RQ-170 Sentinel drone. However, unlike those aircraft, the tailless XRQ-73 features winglets at the ends of each wing. A front-facing camera is also visible near the nose of the drone.
It remains unclear how quickly the US plans to move forward with the XRQ-73. DARPA stated that the drone program is designed to “provide a minimum viable product to meet an urgent operational need.” However, the agency had previously indicated in 2024 that the drone’s first flight was expected to occur at the end of that year, suggesting some delays in development.
A DARPA representative told Business Insider that the drone’s development faced “complex, unforeseen technical challenges during ground testing and integration.” They added that “X-plane programs are designed to push the extreme limits of aerospace engineering, integrating entirely unproven concepts and revolutionary designs.”
The representative also mentioned that DARPA plans to continue a “short flight test campaign” for the XRQ-73. “We are optimistic that the program will transition technology to other future programs of record,” they said.
The XRQ-73 is classified as a Group-3 drone, intended as a medium-sized tactical system that flies below 18,000 feet and at speeds between 115 and 287 mph. DARPA reported that it weighs approximately 1,250 pounds.
This program is part of a contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory called the Great Horned Owl, which aims to develop an efficient, ultra-stealthy reconnaissance drone. A similarly designed but smaller version of the XRQ-73, called the XRQ-72A, was in development since at least 2010, though it is unclear if it ever flew.
When contacted about the XRQ-73, Northrop Grumman directed Business Insider to DARPA.
May 7, 2026: This story was updated to include a comment from DARPA.
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