Northrop Grumman ‘Project Talon’: The Autonomous Fighter

Northrop Grumman Corporation has officially pulled the curtain back on its highly anticipated entry into the future of aerial warfare, revealing “Project Talon,” a next generation autonomous wingman designed to fly and fight alongside manned aircraft.

The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the race to develop Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a new class of uncrewed systems intended to multiply the airpower of Western forces by providing affordable mass and advanced capabilities without putting human pilots at greater risk.

According to details released by the company, Project Talon is a stealthy, jet-powered drone featuring a cranked-kite wing configuration, optimised for both high speed transit and long-endurance loitering. The design philosophy centres on modularity and artificial intelligence.

“Project Talon isn’t just another drone, it’s an extension of the human pilot’s will,” said Tom Jones, president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, at the reveal event. “We’ve designed a system that can autonomously execute complex commands, act as a forward sensor node, or serve as a weapons truck, all while seamlessly integrated with a manned flight lead.”

The operational concept for aircraft like Project Talon is often referred to as the “loyal wingman.” In this scenario, a piloted fighter like an F-35 or the future Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft would act as a quarterback, directing a formation of autonomous drones.

https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/aircraft/autonomous-systems/project-talon

These uncrewed aircraft could be sent ahead into heavily defended airspace to jam enemy radar, identify targets, or draw fire, allowing the more expensive and valuable manned fighter to remain at a safer distance. Project Talon is designed to be “attritable,” meaning it is low-cost enough that its loss in combat would be strategically acceptable compared to losing a human pilot or a flagship fighter.

Northrop Grumman emphasizes that Talon’s open-architecture software allows for rapid upgrades and the integration of third-party mission systems. Its internal payload bays can be configured to carry a variety of air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions, or electronic warfare pods, depending on the mission profile.

The reveal comes as the U.S. Air Force aggressively pursues its CCA program, aiming to field a fleet of at least 1,000 such aircraft by the end of the decade. Project Talon positions Northrop Grumman as a formidable competitor against rival offerings from companies like Boeing and General Atomics.

While today’s reveal showcased a full-scale prototype, Northrop Grumman confirmed that initial flight tests for Project Talon are scheduled to begin in early 2026 at a secure range in the Nevada desert. The company aims to demonstrate full autonomy and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities within the next 18 months.