Why Has Northrop Grumman Built A Crewed Loyal Wingman Drone?

On August 29, 2024, Scaled Composites (a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman) drew the attention of many when it revealed it had successfully first flown its new advanced Model 437. Only this autonomous vehicle had a cockpit and a pilot. The remarkable success, affordability, and rapid development of autonomous drones coupled with the United States Air Force apparently having second thoughts about the sixth-generation NGAD fighter, raises questions about whether the F-35 will be the US Air Force’s last manned fighter jet.