Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard Begins Envelope Expansion Flights

Scaled Composites’ Model 437 Vanguard returns to flight, expanding its envelope ahead of Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy flight testing.

The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard has resumed flight testing at Mojave Air and Space Port, entering a new phase of envelope expansion flights that will prepare the aircraft for its role in Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomous testbed ecosystem. The flight, announced by Scaled Composites on Sep. 20, 2025, comes after extensive modifications to the airframe for its new role since its first flight in August 2024. Contents Scaled Composites’ Model 437 Vanguard returns to flight, expanding its envelope ahead of Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy flight testing. From Loyal Wingman Concept to Versatile Testbed Beacon What’s Next for M