Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Darpa, Northrop Grumman Advance 'Tern' Naval Drone
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency recently instructed Northrop Grumman to build a second test vehicle.
Technicians at Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites begin Tern assembly under Darpa project. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Technicians at Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites begin Tern assembly under Darpa project. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

Claiming that “substantial progress” is being made toward flying an unmanned, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), tailsitter aircraft from a naval ship, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) recently directed Northrop Grumman to build a second test vehicle. The contractor also announced that the so-called “Tern” program is gaining momentum.