Lockheed Martin Unveils Vectis Drone

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division has introduced Vectis, a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) designed to operate alongside fighter jets.

The system is being developed to integrate with fifth-generation and next-generation aircraft, supporting the Pentagon’s “Family of Systems” vision for future air dominance. Lockheed Martin said the drone will carry out precision strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and counter-air missions, either independently or teamed with crewed aircraft such as the F-35.

Vectis will feature stealth characteristics, extended range, and open mission architectures to meet requirements across Indo-Pacific, European, and Central Command theaters. Lockheed Martin emphasized that advanced digital engineering and manufacturing techniques will enable the system to be produced at a cost point aligned with the CCA program.

The company confirmed that parts have already been ordered and teams are executing assembly and testing, with a goal to design, build, and fly within two years.