Lockheed Martin's renowned Skunk Works division has unveiled Vectis, an advanced stealth drone designed for combat missions. The autonomous system is expected to make its first flight within two years and serve as a companion to the F-35 and F-22 fighter jets.
Lockheed Martin's secretive R&D division, Skunk Works, has unveiled its latest achievement: Vectis, a Group 5 autonomous combat drone designed as a Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The company plans to conduct the system's first flight within the next two years.
Skunk Works, formally known as Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs, boasts a history spanning over 80 years and boasts some familiar names, even to those unfamiliar with military technology. Since its founding in 1943, the division has produced legendary aircraft such as the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the F-117 Nighthawk—all milestones in stealth and reconnaissance technology.
According to a Lockheed Martin press release, O.J. Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, described Vectis as "the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development, and autonomy." He stated that the system not only represents a new platform but will also create a new paradigm for air superiority.
The drone is larger than Lockheed's Universal Multi-Mission Truck missile but smaller than an F-16 fighter. This size meets the Category V standard for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which refers to systems with a takeoff weight exceeding 600 kg. Vectis can perform precision strike, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and air defense missions, providing multi-domain connectivity and enabling independent missions or coordinated missions with manned aircraft.
Its communications and signature recognition capabilities are compatible with fifth- and next-generation fighters, enabling seamless integration with the F-22 and F-35. The concept of a collaborative aircraft stems from a recognition of the increasing complexity of modern air warfare. While manned fighters should and will continue to form the backbone of airpower, autonomous companions can assume and support dangerous missions. Lockheed Martin was unsuccessful in the first phase of the US Air Force's Combat Aircraft Command (CCA) program, reportedly because its proposed drone was too powerful and therefore too expensive. The Air Force preferred more cost-effective solutions from General Atomics and Anduril Industries. Similarly, the company was not selected for the US Air Force and Navy's next-generation fighter programs. Despite this, Sanchez believes Vectis is a strong candidate for the second phase of the CCA program. The system leverages advanced manufacturing and digital development techniques from the next-generation fighter program to improve cost-efficiency and development speed.
