Northrop Grumman unveils first phase of tech partners for Beacon autonomy program
WASHINGTON — In an effort to get new autonomous flight software in the air faster, Northrop Grumman announced today it’s partnering with six defense tech companies for its new Beacon program.
Beacon, which was unveiled last month, is an “open-access testbed ecosystem” that uses Northrop’s flight hardware and software capabilities to help develop autonomous solutions created by other companies.
The first six partners to be part of the program are Applied Intuition, Autonodyne, Merlin, Red 6, Shield AI and SoarTech. The partners will use Scaled Composite’s Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, which has Northrop’s digitally-engineered wings and was recently modified for optionally autonomous flight, along with some of Northrop’s own software to build and scale the partners’ autonomous capabilities during a series of flight demonstrations planned for later this year.
“Beacon is about collaboration across industry between companies of all sizes and expertise,” Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of Aeronautics Systems at Northrop, said today. “By providing open access to the Beacon ecosystem, we’re enhancing the innovation, new competition and ultimately the autonomous capabilities that industry can deliver to our customers — with unmatched speed and at scale.”
In a June release, Northrop described the Beacon program as “an integrated environment that mimics relevant mission scenarios.” Adding that by “using Northrop Grumman’s flight hardware, proven autonomous flight software and integration expertise, third-party partners can test and refine their solutions through an open-access approach aligned to government requirements.”
Further, it said Beacon was built off of “decades of autonomy experience” and after over 500,000 autonomous flight hours.
“Beacon will support future aircraft programs by accelerating software deployment, reducing risk and improving readiness,” the company added.
Northrop said it used its own internal research and development funds to develop Beacon, part of what the company says is a $13.5 billion investment in R&D over the last five years aimed at autonomous capabilities.
When asked if or how much the six partner companies will pay to use the Beacon system, Northrop said, “We continue to evaluate all partners and opportunities to improve autonomous capabilities for future customers, including future paid models.”
The six companies will partner with Northrop to develop and scale autonomous flight capabilities during flight demos later this year.
