Northrop's YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes autonomous first flight at Mojave
Based on · First reported
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- The YFQ-48A Talon Blue made its first flight on Oct. 3, 2024 at Mojave Air & Space Port in California, completing taxi, takeoff, maneuvers and landing autonomously.
- The aircraft, built by Scaled Composites and powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545 engine, reached a top speed of 233 kt and climbed to slightly over 10,000 ft, with civil registration N444LX.
- Originally known as Project Lotus, the demonstrator was rebranded Talon Blue at a formal unveiling in November 2025.
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