Lockheed Martin Debuts Vectis Combat Drone for Next-Gen Air Power
- Vectis is a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) focused on survivability and lethality.
- Development underway; aims for rapid design, build, and flight within two years.
- Emphasizes open architecture and cost-effective, customizable mission capabilities.
- Targets integration with evolving U.S. and allied military requirements.
Vectis: Skunk Works’ Answer to Modern Air Combat Needs
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has officially launched Vectis, a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) designed to deliver advanced survivability and mission flexibility for U.S. and allied forces. The announcement was made on September 21, 2025, at National Harbor, Maryland, highlighting the company’s ambition to redefine unmanned air power through a blend of proven fighter expertise and cutting-edge autonomous technology.
Advanced Capabilities and Design Philosophy
Vectis is built upon decades of Skunk Works’ experience in integrating complex systems, developing advanced fighters, and deploying autonomous solutions. According to OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Skunk Works, the platform is intended as “a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework.”
Vectis leverages innovations in speed, altitude, stealth shaping, and advanced materials to ensure class-leading survivability and operational effectiveness in hostile environments.
Mission Flexibility and Rapid Deployment
The Vectis program is already in progress, with procurement of parts and assembly underway. Lockheed Martin is investing significant resources to accelerate development, aiming to design, build, and fly the Vectis within a two-year window.
The project is positioned to align with evolving tri-service architectures and global defense requirements, ensuring interoperability and scalability across multiple domains.
Affordability and Open Architecture
In addition to survivability, Vectis is engineered for affordability and adaptability. The open mission architecture allows for rapid integration of new sensors, payloads, and mission systems, giving military operators the flexibility to customize the platform for diverse operational scenarios. This approach is expected to reduce both acquisition and lifecycle costs, making advanced drone capabilities accessible at scale.
Strategic Implications
The introduction of Vectis underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to maintaining air superiority amid evolving threats. As unmanned systems become increasingly central to military strategy, platforms like Vectis could play a pivotal role in future joint and coalition operations.
The company’s investment in speed and agility—both in technology and program execution—signals a shift toward more responsive and modular defense solutions.