SHEPARD XRQ-73 flight test
May 2026 | Edwards Air Force Base, California
Summary
The Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) program is an existing option to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Great Horned Owl (GHO) contract.
The SHEPARD program is based on a DARPA X-Prime construct that takes emerging technologies and burns down system-level integration risks to provide a minimum viable product to meet an urgent operational need. The SHEPARD X-Prime program will leverage the GHO hybrid electric architecture and some of its component technologies, and quickly mature a new mission-focused aircraft design that can be fielded with the objective of first flight in 20 months.
The SHEPARD vehicle will be larger scale than the GHO X-Plane (XRQ-72) with operationally representative fuel fraction and mission systems, while staying below the Group 3 UAS weight limit.
Office
Tactical Technology Office
