Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Air Fight Drone That Places A Premium On Stealth

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Lockheed Martin’s famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has lifted the lid on a brand new, higher-end stealthy Collaborative Fight Plane (CCA) kind drone named Vectis. The uncrewed plane is designed to be extremely adaptable to an operator’s necessities, whether or not they be in the USA or elsewhere around the globe, and is anticipated to fly inside two years. Vectis notably follows Skunk Works’ failed ‘gold-plated’ high-stealth bid for the primary part of the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program , however nonetheless places above-average emphasis on survivability in comparison with the opposite designs that service is now testing.

Skunk Works has but to share precisely when growth of Vectis started, however has described it as a product of a broader growth philosophy it has adopted known as the Agile Drone Framework. The framework prioritizes modularity and open mission techniques, in addition to interoperability in areas like command and management architectures, over any particular {hardware}. The identify Vectis means lever or pole in Latin, and is supposed to replicate the ‘leverage’ the platform gives.

“Meet Vectis, a Group 5, survivable, deadly, and reusable, Collaborative Fight Plane that embodies not solely our pedigree in [crewed] fighter plane, autonomy, and uncrewed techniques, however [that] can be enabled by that Agile Drone Framework,” O.J. Sanchez, Lockheed Martin Vice President and Basic Supervisor of Skunk Works, informed TWZ and different retailers this previous week. “Vectis will present U.S. and allied warfighters with vary, endurance, and multi-mission flexibility, together with air-to-air, air-to-surface, and ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance].”

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="573" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468239" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=289&h=162 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=300&h=168 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=308&h=172 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=370&h=207 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=386&h=216 386w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=580&h=324 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=660&h=369 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=704&h=394 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=715&h=400 715w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=768&h=430 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-render-rear-profile.jpg?w=1024&h=573 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Lockheed Martin seize

Within the U.S. army’s parlance, Group 5 uncrewed aerial techniques are the most important and most succesful, masking something pilotless with a most takeoff weight of 1,320 kilos or extra, and that may fly at altitudes of 18,000 toes or larger. When requested, Sanchez declined to supply any onerous dimensions or different specs for Vectis. He did say it was smaller than a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter , however bigger than one of many firm’s Common Multi-Mission Truck (CMMT, pronounced ‘comet’) missile-like drones, which is a really broad dimension vary.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468244" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/bahrain-block-70-f-16d.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> An instance of a current-generation Block 70 F-16. This specific instance, constructed for Bahrain, is seen throughout a take a look at flight in 2024. USAF

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="405" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468247" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=50&h=20 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=280&h=111 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=289&h=114 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=300&h=119 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=308&h=122 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=370&h=146 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=546&h=216 546w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=580&h=229 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=660&h=261 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=704&h=279 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=768&h=304 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=1011&h=400 1011w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cmmt-d-testing.jpg?w=1024&h=405 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Photos from testing of a variant of the CMMT designed to be dropped by way of a palletized munition system, giving a way of the dimensions of the drones in that household. Lockheed Martin

Renderings of Vectis from Skunk Works present a tailless drone with a lambda wing planform and a top-mounted air consumption. There's a pronounced chine line across the ahead finish of the fuselage and a shovel-like form to the nostril, in addition to varied conformal antennas and/or sensor apertures, all of that are indicative of low-observable (stealthy) design concerns. A brief promotional video, seen beneath, additionally features a cutaway view exhibiting an S-shaped duct behind the air consumption and exhaust shrouding, options that supply additional radar cross-section and infrared signature decreasing advantages.

Skunk Works’ Sanchez additionally stated Vectis is runway dependent in its “present instantiation,” one thing we'll come again to afterward. Its touchdown gear configuration has not but been proven.

Vectis’ core planform is apparently reminiscent, in some broad strokes, of a rendering of a stealthy aerial refueling tanker concept Skunk Works first confirmed publicly final 12 months. That plane had a a lot bigger design, consistent with its meant mission, with massive clipped wings that had some lambda-wing attributes, in addition to small outwardly-canted twin vertical tails. The look of the brand new survivable CCA additionally hearkens again to older ideas for superior crewed fight jets from Lockheed and different firms, together with from studies that fed into the Air Pressure’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program that led to the F-22.

<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="737" loading="lazy" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468248" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=50&h=36 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=280&h=202 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=289&h=208 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=300&h=216 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=308&h=222 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=370&h=266 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=550&h=396 550w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=556&h=400 556w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=561&h=404 561w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=660&h=475 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=768&h=553 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=959&h=690 959w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg?w=964&h=694 964w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-stealth-tanker.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A rendering of a stealthy aerial refueling tanker idea that Skunk Works first confirmed publicly final 12 months. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

There was one thing of an uptick in recent times in new crewed and uncrewed tactical plane designs with lambda or a minimum of lambda-like planforms. This contains one of the several air combat drone designs that emerged around a massive military parade in China earlier this month, in addition to one of many two Chinese next-generation crewed combat jets that broke cowl in December 2024. The stealthy Wingman drone design that European aerospace conglomerate Airbus unveiled earlier this year is one other one of many many examples.

<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="516" loading="lazy" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468250" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=50&h=25 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=280&h=141 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=289&h=146 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=300&h=151 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=308&h=155 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=370&h=186 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=429&h=216 429w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=580&h=292 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=660&h=333 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=704&h=355 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=768&h=387 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg?w=794&h=400 794w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chinese-air-combat-drones-parade-beijing-2025.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> New Chinese language air fight drones, together with one with a lambda-type wing, on parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Chinese language web

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468252" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/airbus-wingman-render.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A rendering of Airbus’ Wingman drone idea. Airbus

Skunk Works has additionally declined to share particulars about Vectis’ meant efficiency or what engine it'd use.

“I'd say that within the CCA house, our operational evaluation doesn’t level in the direction of supersonic [speed as a central requirement],” Skunk Works head Sanchez shared. “We’ll proceed to refine that, however I wouldn’t go as far as to say supersonic is what we see as wanted on this house.”

Vectis additionally has “endurance ranges suitable with Indo-Pacific, European, and CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] theaters,” in accordance with a Lockheed Martin press launch, which doesn't elaborate additional on this facet of the drone’s capabilities.

What munitions and different payloads Vectis may have the ability to carry is unclear. Skunk Works’ Sanchez talked about “reusable or versatile payloads,” however didn't elaborate. The promotional video included earlier on this story reveals a vignette wherein the drones, working along with an F-22, use unspecified sensors to identify and observe aerial threats earlier than being ordered to fireplace air-to-air missiles, presumably from inside bays, at these targets. Compact radars and/or infrared search and track (IRST) techniques could be logical sensor choices for supporting the air-to-air function.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="279" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468255" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=50&h=14 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=280&h=76 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=289&h=79 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=300&h=82 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=308&h=84 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=370&h=101 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=580&h=158 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=660&h=180 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=704&h=192 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=768&h=209 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=793&h=216 793w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-to-air-vignette-captures.jpg?w=1024&h=279 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Display screen captures from the promotional video exhibiting parts of the air-to-air vignette depicted therein. Lockheed Martin captures

As famous, Vectis can be meant to be configurable for air-to-ground and basic ISR missions. One other promotional video Lockheed Martin has now launched, which covers Skunk Works’ Agile Drone Framework extra typically, seen beneath, reveals Vectis drones firing air-to-surface missiles at an enemy air protection website.

Digital warfare suites and sign relay packages may additionally be among the many payload choices for Vectis drones.

The design is “quickly upgradable and customizable to align to shifting menace setting priorities,” in accordance with Sanchez. “Vectis’ signature and comms are suitable with fifth and next-gen plane. We’ve carried out categorized crewed-uncrewed teaming operations evaluation, pairing F-22s and F-35s with Vectis, and the outcomes are spectacular.”

Sanchez clarified later that this operations evaluation had been carried out in simulated environments as Vectis is just not but flying. Lockheed Martin is already well-known for its extensive work in the unclassified realm on crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities , together with in digital environments and thru real-world flight testing, in addition to cases that mix the 2 collectively. The F-22 is now in line to be the first airborne controller for Air Pressure CCAs. The corporate additionally now has a contract with the U.S. Navy to supply a standard command and management structure for that service’s future CCAs, which can leverage work on its Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX) , a software-based package deal already being built-in into new drone control centers on American aircraft carriers .

“One of the vital spectacular attributes of the Skunk Works is its lengthy dedication to open mission techniques, to architectures that allow a big tent of parents to have the ability to plug in. That’s why we consider that interoperability is foundational to fixing warfighter issues within the many years in entrance of us,” Sanchez stated in response to a query about Vectis’ personal stage of autonomy. “So once we take into consideration the autonomy and the underpinning software program, every little thing about this can be aligned with the [U.S.] authorities reference structure. Our expertise delivering that stage of functionality via the MDCX system to the U.S. Navy, for instance, is underpinned with the identical method.”

Our Skunk Works® MDCX™ autonomy platform is mission-proven, revolutionizing the way forward for autonomous techniques and advancing America's drone capabilities.

Uncover how: 🔗👇

— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) February 4, 2025

“We welcome the chance to collaborate with others,” he added. “Whereas I received’t disclose precisely how we’ll companion or who we'll align with on the software program house, the elemental structure is open mission techniques aligned with authorities reference structure. And as that tent expands, we’ll be prepared and capable of adapt with others and probably deliver package in alignment with different efforts which are being labored [on] by different firms.”

Sanchez highlighted a lately introduced partnership between Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks in the UK for instance of how the corporate is already collaborating with others, however stated that initiative is just not tied to Vectis. He additionally touted demonstrations in the past two years of new capabilities to securely share categorized knowledge with overseas F-35 operators as extra examples, extra typically, of the present inside give attention to interoperability.

“We are able to join the Vectis system with every other platform, or anyone or something within the battlespace,” he stated.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468274" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=280&h=158 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-teaming-render.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A rendering of Vectis flying along with different drones, in addition to a crewed F-35. Lockheed Martin

In his feedback this previous week, Sanchez didn't converse on to the matter of bodily management interfaces, which has been a matter of rivalry in recent times, particularly in terms of ordering uncrewed plane round from the cockpit of a fighter. Skunk Works has said in the past that its instant focus is on tablet-like and different touch-screen-enabled gadgets, however different choices could emerge sooner or later. Questions have been raised about whether or not tablets, particularly, will create problematic additional burdens for pilots when directing drones throughout missions.

The Skunk Works’ Agile Drone Framework video reveals pilots in F-22s and F-35s utilizing wide-area touch-screen shows to regulate Vectis drones, in addition to CMMTs and a higher-end flying-wing design. The latter drone has a design that appears advanced from Lockheed Martin’s secretive RQ-170 Sentinel , in addition to the Sea Ghost concept the corporate put ahead years in the past for the U.S. Navy’s abortive Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) program. Lockheed Martin has additionally included a sophisticated flying wing design, along with varied others, in previous promotional supplies highlighting work on crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities .

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="527" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468261" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=50&h=26 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=280&h=144 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=289&h=149 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=300&h=154 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=308&h=159 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=370&h=190 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=420&h=216 420w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=580&h=299 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=660&h=340 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=704&h=362 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=768&h=395 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=777&h=400 777w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/control-interface-capture.jpg?w=1024&h=527 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A display screen seize from the Agile Drone Framework video depicting a touch-screen management interface on the wide-area show within the cockpit of an F-35. A stealthy flying wing uncrewed plane and CMMTs are proven together with Vectis drones (labeled SCCAs) as being able to obtain orders. Lockheed Martin seize

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468265" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/lockheed-martin-teaming-vision.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Paintings Skunk Works launched again in 2022 exhibiting a flying wing uncrewed plane and different tiers of drones along with an F-35. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

Total, “as the way forward for air energy takes form, Skunk Works is charting a vital path with this Vectis program to unlock new built-in capabilities at an ultra-competitive pace and worth level. Vectis supplies best-in-class survivability on the CCA worth level,” he stated throughout the press name this previous week.

Sanchez didn't present any onerous price metrics for Vectis. The Air Pressure has stated prior to now that it's aiming for a unit price roughly in the $20 million range for drones being developed underneath the primary part, or Increment 1, of its CCA program. The service has additionally stated that it might pursue lower-cost (and less exquisite) designs for the deliberate follow-on Increment 2.

“Our Increment 1 providing had larger ranges of stealth than have been obligatory within the necessities due to the operational evaluation conviction of constructing one thing that truly had worth to the Air Pressure over the lengthy haul,” John Clark, then head of Skunk Works, had told TWZ and others on the Air & Area Forces Affiliation’s most important annual convention final 12 months. “I feel, hindsight 20/20, we might definitely armchair quarterback and say, effectively the Air Pressure isn’t valuing survivability proper now, so we gold-plated one thing they didn’t want gold-plated.”

Clark added on the time that Skunk Works had shifted focus, a minimum of to a level, to exploring optionally expendable designs to satisfy the Air Pressure’s Increment 2 CCA necessities, which have been nonetheless being finalized at that time and have but to be detailed publicly.

“I feel that there'll … be a reckoning to return in some unspecified time in the future when [the Air Force is] [a scenario where] … I’m going to spend $15 million or $20 million an airplane, and the OA [operational analysis] is telling me that 80 p.c or extra of them don’t make it dwelling,” Clark additionally stated final 12 months. “What number of airplanes am I prepared to spend that kind of cash on earlier than that’s a shedding proposition financially as a nation.”

In April 2024, Basic Atomics and Anduril obtained contracts from the Air Pressure to proceed creating their CCA designs, now designated the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A , respectively. Each of these designs put much less emphasis on survivability versus price in comparison with how Vectis is at the moment being offered. Along with Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman had additionally been within the operating for Increment 1.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6461780" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=280&h=157 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/yfq-42-yfq-44-render.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A composite rendering of the YFQ-44A, at high, and the YFQ-42A, at backside, now in growth underneath Increment 1 of the US Air Pressure’s CCA program. USAF composite art work courtesy Basic Atomics Aeronautical Methods, Inc. and Anduril Industries

“If you talked to him on the time, there was sure evaluation going for a selected competitors that was [what] he was speaking to,” Skunk Works’ Sanchez stated this previous week when requested about how Vectis matches in with Clark’s previous feedback. “There are design trades that we’ve made on this and mission functions the place we clearly see the chance for a reusable, extremely survivable, and versatile platform like Vectis to create mission results which are far past what you'll have with out them.”

“So the way it applies in every particular person mission set begins to get categorized … however we completely see at Skunk Works that the mixing of groups, manned and unmanned teaming, goes to supply battlespace results that resolve onerous issues,” he continued. “So that's turning into true, and so Vectis creates a singular house the place a survivable platform can ship results, in each air-to-ground and air-to-air, by the best way – on the time, I consider John was speaking to a selected mission set – in addition to present vital data via like an ISR and focusing on function, and once more, opened as much as a couple of mission set as we have a look at each worldwide power design and home power design.”

Sanchez additionally pressured that Vectis is just not being developed at current with any specific potential alternative with the U.S. army or overseas armed forces in thoughts.

“I'd see the Vectis flexibility that’s being in-built, together with its survivability, being very engaging to a number of mission drawback units, after which the agility and the best way we’re doing the versatile payload design could be tailor-made in the direction of particular nations or packages as they want,” he stated. “In order that tailoring can be work that we’ll proceed to do with every, however not in direct response to anybody [opportunity] – [we’re] extra aligned with listening to all these clients, and our data of the battle house has knowledgeable our design.”

“We have now lots of overlap with the U.S. Air Pressure and are supporting their method to search out the suitable necessities for his or her particular mission units. So ought to the U.S. Air Pressure discover that they want a extremely survivable platform with the flexibleness that Vectis allows for Increment 2, I feel it’ll be an incredible candidate,” he continued. “We respect their course of as they undergo and see what’s wanted. As you understand, each power has particular necessities primarily based on the remainder of their power. So this matches squarely within the class of a survivable, reusable, and versatile CCA, and I completely suppose if that’s what the Air Pressure thinks they want, this could be an incredible candidate to satisfy these necessities.”

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="523" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468294" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=50&h=26 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=280&h=143 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=289&h=148 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=300&h=153 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=308&h=157 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=370&h=189 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=423&h=216 423w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=580&h=296 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=660&h=337 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=704&h=360 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=768&h=392 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=783&h=400 783w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/vectis-air-to-surface-strike.jpg?w=1024&h=523 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Vectis drones depicted firing air-to-surface missiles at an enemy air protection website. Lockheed Martin seize

“The pliability we present in that Agile Drone Framework via, say, MDCX, additionally says you could command these in a number of places. You should use sensible autonomy built-in with a fifth-gen [fighter] cockpit, just like the F-35, or maybe you would do it off the deck of a ship in case you wanted to, like we’re doing with MDCX, or any method in between,” he added. “And so we’re constructing in that form of autonomy, that versatile autonomy, if you'll, in order that we will work with extra nations, extra companions to actually take heed to what their wants are. In order that flexibility has been demonstrated via a number of demonstrations. Now we’ll exit and construct it, and we’ll work to show it within the open air.”

In discussing how Vectis could possibly be adaptable to a number of U.S. and overseas operator necessities, Sanchez additionally spoke in additional element concerning the drone’s present dependence on conventional runways, in addition to its capacity to function from extra austere places. In the USA, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps , particularly, are at the moment basing tactical crewed and uncrewed aviation power design selections across the expectation of working from distributed ahead places, a lot of which could possibly be distant and with restricted supporting infrastructure. That is all meant to create focusing on challenges for enemies and scale back vulnerability, in addition to deliver plane shut sufficient to their targets to be efficient at larger sortie charges, particularly within the context of a possible high-end fight in the Pacific against China . Different nations are coming to related viewpoints, particularly primarily based on observations from the ongoing war in Ukraine . With all this in thoughts, reducing or eliminating runway dependence , in addition to ease of operating and maintainability , have emerged as key areas of curiosity in terms of CCA-type drones.

“Our evaluation aligns with the U.S. Air Pressure, that runway accessibility is extremely vital in each theater, significantly in INDOPACOM [the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility]. So we’re very intentional concerning the flexibility that this method would allow within the theaters of curiosity,” Sanchez defined. “And so the quantity of runways that can be out there, the quantity of flexibility to implement, whether or not it's an Agile Fight Employment method, or a hub and spoke for different nations, relying on how it's, Vectis can be very succesful in these areas.”

Agile Fight Employment (ACE) is the U.S. Air Pressure’s present umbrella time period for its ideas for distributed and disaggregated operations, as you may learn extra about here . The service has stated prior to now that the Increment 1 CCAs are the primary plane being designed from the ground up with ACE in thoughts.

“We definitely perceive the flexibleness the U.S. Air Pressure may want,” Sanchez added. “And if there are different options which are runway impartial, we'd be working with them on these, however this one could be a runway-dependent answer.”

“The significance of sustainability, of reliability, and the flexibility to simply preserve a survivable airplane is paramount. So we've got completely baked that into this method, and I'd let you know that we've got, for some time, into our superior techniques,” he continued. “We’re leveraging each on the fabric facet in addition to simply the simplicity of design, the place vital techniques that you just may have the ability to entry are, the way you get to them, and sturdy, dependable supplies that allow a lot less complicated maintainability. So we can be focusing on a really excessive reliability price and have it initially, each the operations in addition to our maintainers in thoughts to supply that operational flexibility.”

The pinnacle of Skunk Works was additionally requested about how Vectis may match into ideas of operations whereby a lot of a CCA fleet might be kept in storage slightly than being flown on a extra day-to-day foundation, together with in routine coaching. As TWZ has noted many times in the past , the U.S. army, broadly, nonetheless has many inquiries to reply about how CCA-type drones can be deployed, launched, recovered, supported, and otherwise operated , in addition to employed tactically.

“For those who ask me, I feel the flexibility … for people to have the ability to practice and combine goes to be vital within the CCA house. So we can have constructed into it [Vectis] the flexibility for it to be a day by day flyer, reliably work alongside its crewed teammates to have the ability to combine into operations for coaching, in addition to for deployment,” Sanchez stated. “On the similar time, if the requirement is ease of storage and ease of meeting, it’s completely constructed into the design. So we'd see that as an operations-defined design commerce, as opposed essentially to at least one that might be restricted by what we’re presenting right here. In order that’s the place we’ll work intently to pay attention with any particular person clients that go from there on their operations selection, however the flexibility is in-built.”

Vectis’ emergence comes amid a rising area of CCA-type drones in the USA and elsewhere globally that already replicate a lot of totally different underlying power design ideas. Although the U.S. army continues to eschew more exquisite uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV), a minimum of publicly, curiosity in designs in that class can be rising worldwide amongst American allies and companions. As TWZ has reported multiple times simply in the past week , China has more and more positioned itself because the dominant actor in the stealthy flying wing UCAV space , in addition to a leader in advanced drone developments extra broadly. Russia , India , Turkey , and France are additionally pursuing flying wing UCAVs.

Lockheed Martin has itself talked for years now about visions for future superior drones and crewed-uncrewed teaming that embrace many various tiers of functionality. Vectis is definitely not the one drone design the corporate is engaged on. Sanchez highlighted this previous week that roughly 97 p.c of what Skunk Works does is classed. Alternatively, the general public disclosure of Vectis makes clear that the corporate sees this as an vital play within the increasing CCA market house.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="663" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6468262" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=50&h=32 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=280&h=181 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=289&h=187 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=300&h=194 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=308&h=199 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=334&h=216 334w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=370&h=240 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=580&h=376 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=611&h=396 611w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=618&h=400 618w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=660&h=427 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=768&h=497 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/skunk-works-drones-capture.jpg?w=1024&h=663 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> One other seize from the Agile Drone Framework video exhibiting renderings of assorted totally different drone designs, together with Vectis (at decrease left), the CMMT (at higher proper), and the stealthy flying-wing (at decrease proper). Lockheed Martin seize

“We’re in progress now on the Vectis prototype. Components are ordered, the crew is in [sic] work, and we intend to fly within the subsequent two years,” Sanchez stated. “Our operational evaluation reveals a large swath of functionality that Vectis supplies in a number of mission areas which are going to be related and resolve onerous issues that we couldn’t resolve with out this type of collaboration. So we’ll proceed to evolve that.”

“As issues change, we’ll make adjustments. We’re not afraid to try this, and this reveals that evolution of thought and adaptation to the mission wants,” he added.

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the event of Vectis now proceeds, particularly throughout the bigger and nonetheless evolving CCA house globally.

Contact the writer: joe@twz.com

Joseph has been a member of The Conflict Zone crew since early 2017. Previous to that, he was an Affiliate Editor at Conflict Is Boring, and his byline has appeared in different publications, together with Small Arms Evaluation , Small Arms Protection Journal , Reuters , We Are the Mighty , and Process & Objective .