Northrop Grumman uses Bombardier CRJ700s for testing fighter jet components

N804X's extended nose tests various systems intended for future implementation on fighter jets. In November 2020, Northrop Grumman used this aircraft to test an advanced warfare system for F-16 fighter jets known as the APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR). The company stated at the time: "Northrop Grumman is a pioneer in developing multi-function sensors. Through our iterative development and flight demonstrations, we are focused on agile development with OMS-compliant sensors and commercial practices to prove the rapid integration of capabilities across mission sets."

Northrop Grumman operates two additional CRJ700s as testbeds:

N805X is a 20.9-year-old example that previously flew for Lufthansa CityLine from 2003 to 2015 before joining Northrop Grumman.

N806X is a 23.3-year-old jet that began its career at French regional carrier Brit Air in 2001 before transitioning through several airlines until it joined Northrop Grumman in 2018.

In 2022, Northrop Grumman announced the development of a Digital Shadow testbed—a digital replica of the real CRJ700 testbed aimed at replacing real flight tests with digital representations of sensors and radars. Roshan Roeder, vice president of airborne multifunction sensors at Northrop Grumman, explained: "Our Digital Shadow testbed will enable the rapid iteration and assessment of various mission systems configurations and trades via digital models across the entire lifecycle."

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