Talon Blue handled taxiing, takeoff, flight maneuvers and landing without a pilot, Warden told analysts during Northrop’s October 20 earnings call. The company then used the aircraft to test and mature further autonomous capabilities.
“Designed and built in 24 months, Talon Blue demonstrates how we are accelerating modular design with manufacturing innovations to deliver real results with speed,” Warden said. She described growing demand for the product line in the United States and overseas.
Northrop’s investment extends beyond the aircraft to TalonIQ, which supports testing of systems used to control collaborative combat aircraft and associated platforms. Warden said the test environment had demonstrated interoperability with other companies’ autonomous software, the integration of that software and control of other platforms.
Around half a dozen companies have participated in cooperative integration projects within the environment. Warden said the combination of flight testing and software integration work helps reduce risk while supporting discussions with customers about future aircraft requirements.
The company is engaging multiple U.S. customers and international partners as those requirements take shape. Its approach includes integrating autonomy software and command-and-control systems from other developers, alongside work on its own aircraft.
Affordability and manufacturing at scale are priorities for Talon Blue, Warden said, reflecting requirements she expects across U.S. military services and international customers. “And then for the platform itself, we are working to drive towards affordability and scaled manufacturing because we know that is going to be important to deliver affordable mass,” she said.
