Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division has officially introduced the Vectis, a cutting-edge drone labeled as a “survivable and lethal Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).” Designed to operate alongside crewed fighters such as the F-35, Vectis is categorized as a Group 5 drone, intended to support both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The company has outlined plans for the drone to take to the skies within the next two years, with development already in progress.
A key focus of the Vectis program is affordability. Lockheed Martin emphasizes that it will be offered at a “CCA price point,” which indicates that its cost will be lower than that of a piloted fighter while maintaining high performance and survivability. The design incorporates open systems architecture, digital engineering methods, and a modular approach right from the start.
Capabilities of the Vectis Drone
The Vectis is designed to execute a diverse array of missions, including precision strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and both offensive and defensive counter-air operations. It is engineered to function autonomously as well as alongside manned aircraft, allowing crewed jets to utilize drones in high-risk segments of missions while keeping human pilots available for other critical tasks.
Stealth features prominently in the Vectis’s design. Lockheed Martin claims that it will deliver “best-in-CCA class survivability,” leveraging decades of experience in stealth technology, materials, and signature suppression. While specific performance metrics such as radar cross-section and top speed remain undisclosed, the platform appears to build on insights gained from earlier stealth and unmanned programs.
Flexibility is another significant aspect of the design. The open systems architecture allows for the integration of various payloads, sensors, and mission systems from different vendors, providing operators with enhanced options. Lockheed Martin also positions the Vectis as a durable and reliable aircraft that can be flown frequently with minimal operational challenges.
Future Development and Industry Context
Lockheed Martin reports that prototype components have already been ordered, and initial build work is underway, with the first flight anticipated in March 2024. The timeline may be influenced by supplier performance, regulatory requirements, and the maturation of mission systems, as delays are not uncommon in the aviation sector.
Despite its advanced capabilities, Lockheed Martin markets the Vectis as an economical solution. By utilizing modern manufacturing and digital engineering tools, the company aims to keep production and lifecycle costs lower than those of traditional high-end manned fighters. While the Vectis will not be cheap, it is expected to be significantly less expensive than a manned stealth fighter.
As the competition intensifies, multiple companies are developing their own wingman drones. Notably, Boeing is working on the MQ-28 Ghost Bat for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This drone is designed to fulfill a similar role as a CCA aircraft, combining stealth, survivability, and affordability into a single unmanned platform. Boeing claims it is ahead of schedule in its development.
Unmanned drones represent a critical evolution in future air combat fleets. These aircraft are poised to complement traditional manned fighters by offering a more cost-effective and flexible operational model due to the absence of a human pilot. The Boeing MQ-28, for example, is intended to be operated from a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail.
Developing advanced drones like the Vectis presents its own set of challenges, although the process is designed to be simpler compared to manned fighters. Lockheed Martin faces the task of meeting its ambitious targets while ensuring seamless integration between the drone and crewed planes. The successful introduction of the Vectis could significantly reshape the landscape of aerial combat.
