Autonomous Testbed Enters New Flight Test Campaign for Envelope Expansion

After more than a year being grounded for modifications, the Scaled Composites Model 437 “Vanguard” has returned to flight testing. The aircraft first flew in 2024, quickly taking a break from the skies as it prepared to serve as the airframe for Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy test program.

Beacon is Northrop Grumman’s open-access autonomy ecosystem, designed to speed the development of artificial intelligence and autonomous flight software. To prepare for Beacon testing, Scaled Composites upgraded the Model 437’s hydraulic system, installed Beacon’s subsystems into the airframe, and added pilot interfaces into the cockpit. The Vanguard then underwent extensive hangar testing to check Beacon’s autonomy in controlled conditions before being cleared for flight.

The current campaign focuses on envelope expansion flights that will set the stage for integrating advanced autonomous systems.

“We had the challenge of taking an airplane that has only flown once and converting it into a versatile autonomous testbed, which demonstrates Scaled’s agility and flexibility in achieving new test objectives,” noted project engineer Yuto Shinagawa. “One example was assuring flight safety when engaging the autonomous system and how to effectively integrate protections into the flight controls.”

The Model 437 traces back to Scaled’s earlier Model 401 Sierra design. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5D engine, delivering approximately 3,400 pounds of thrust, propelling it to speeds of up to Mach 0.85. The aircraft concept was first launched around four years ago as a solution to the U.S. Air Force’s “Loyal Wingman” program, which was later renamed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), and as a possible UK F-35 escort. It completed its maiden flight on August 29, 2024, out of Palmdale, California.

“Great progress has been made toward realizing the Beacon autonomy ecosystem with the Model 437,” Shinagawa continued.

FMI: www.scaled.com