A California-based defense manufacturing firm has unveiled a new project to develop a stealthy autonomous drone. Named Vectis, the drone is being developed by Lockheed Martin’s secretive Skunk Works.
The company aims to fly the first Vectis prototype in 2027. Envisioned as a large “Category 5” reusable drone, the UAV will be designed to be customizable to match shifts in the threat environment.
The drone is planned to be capable of executing precision strike, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) targeting, electronic warfare, and offensive and defensive counter air missions. The UAV will also provide multi-domain connectivity, whether standalone or as part of integrated teaming missions with crewed aircraft like the F-35.
Extended range
The drone is expected to offer an extended flight range to be compatible with Indo-Pacific, European, and Central Command theaters.
“Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development, and autonomy,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
“We’re not simply building a new platform – we’re creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework.”
Lethal collaborative combat aircraft
The company has revealed that Vectis’ development is underway.
Parts are ordered, and a team is executing. Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers’ evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined, according to a press release.
The drone will be capable of seamlessly integrating with 5th and next-gen aircraft to advance the Family of Systems vision for next-gen air dominance.
Proven Lockheed Martin performance on common control systems like the MDCX will be used to ensure compatibility across the command and control spectrum.
The Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) is aimed at advancing unparalleled air dominance for American and allied militaries.
Integrated capabilities
Lockheed Martin revealed that this system embodies the company’s pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, and open mission architectures. As the future of air power takes shape, Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.
The company’s Skunk Works has decades of experience leveraging speed, altitude, shape, advanced materials and more to keep crewed and uncrewed platforms safe in the most challenging environments to solve the warfighter’s hardest problems. All of this pioneering work is reflected in Vectis, which delivers class-leading survivability in an agile, multi-role package.
With Vectis, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is acting on a bold vision to deliver high-end survivability and mission systems capability at aggressive cost targets and design, build and fly within two years, as per the release.
