Overview
- Built with Scaled Composites, the prototype went from project authorization to weight on wheels in about 15 months at Mojave, California.
- Northrop says the aircraft is roughly 1,000 pounds lighter than its prior CCA design, uses about 50% fewer parts, and cut construction time by around 30%.
- Talon was conceived as a multi‑mission loyal wingman and draws on Northrop’s Prism autonomy, which is already flying on the company’s Beacon testbed, though detailed specs remain undisclosed.
- Company officials say Talon is not necessarily their formal bid for the Air Force’s next CCA phase, and they cite interest from other U.S. services and international customers.
- The reveal returns Northrop to a crowded CCA field where General Atomics and Anduril are flying Increment 1 demonstrators, with Air Force concept‑refinement awards expected in fiscal 2026.