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Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division has introduced a new drone, Vectis, which the company describes as a “survivable and lethal Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).” The Vectis is classified as a Group 5 drone and is intended to support both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35. Lockheed Martin expects Vectis to make its first flight within two years, with development already in progress.
Affordability is a central focus for the Vectis program. According to Lockheed Martin, the drone will be offered at a "CCA price point," meaning it will cost less than piloted fighter jets but still deliver high performance and survivability. The design incorporates open systems architecture, digital engineering methods, and modular construction from the outset.
The company states that Vectis can perform multiple mission types including precision strike, intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and both offensive and defensive counter-air operations. It can function independently or act as a 'loyal wingman' to manned aircraft. This allows human pilots to assign drones to high-risk tasks while they focus on other objectives.
