# Northrop Grumman's YFQ-48A Talon Blue completes its first fully autonomous flight

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/northrop-grumman-s-yfq-48a-talon-blue-completes-its-first-fully-46c45107
Date: 5 Oct 2026
About: [Northrop Grumman](https://technooptimist.io/companies/northrop-grumman.md) · [YFQ-48A Talon](https://technooptimist.io/aviation/yfq-48a-talon.md)
Original source: https://aiaa.org/2026/10/05/northrop-grummans-yfq-48a-talon-blue-completes-first-autonomous-flight/

Northrop Grumman's YFQ-48A Talon Blue, an autonomous combat aircraft, completed its first flight in which taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing were all handled autonomously, at Mojave, California. Northrop says the aircraft is meant to support missions for US and allied forces as it expands its autonomous aircraft work.

## Key facts

- The autonomous sequence covered taxi, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers and landing, according to the coverage of Northrop's announcement.
- The flight took place at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.
- The article gives no flight date, duration or performance figures, and no next test milestones.

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