Lockheed Martin Expands Vectis Production With Four Additional Aircraft
Lockheed says the fifth-generation drone is designed for survivability and modular missions, with an internal weapons bay and open-architecture systems.
- On Monday, September 14, 2026, Lockheed Martin announced it is building four additional Vectis prototypes, bringing the program total to five. The stealthy combat drone targets first flight by the end of 2027.
- Ron Fehlen, Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager of Skunk Works, stated the company is "leaning into" the project to accelerate testing and validate production processes. This strategic investment expands capabilities ahead of future customer demands.
- The Vectis drone features a tailless design with a submerged top-mounted air intake to reduce drag and enhance survivability. Manufacturing uses "minimal tooling determinate assembly," achieving an 80 percent reduction in labor hours.
- Acting as a semi-autonomous wingman for fighters like the F-35, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program aims to field at least 1,000 drones to increase Air Force combat "mass." This strategy provides lower-cost capability than fielding more manned fighters.
- Beyond the Air Force, Lockheed Martin sees international and Navy interest in the Vectis platform, which is designed "to be the CCA competitive price." The company continues evaluating concepts to address evolving warfighter requirements.
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US defence firm Lockheed Martin unveils new stealth drone as Africa’s 6th-strongest military eyes $18 billion F-35 package
US defence company Lockheed Martin has unveiled the first full-scale model of its Vectis stealth drone, a new autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets including the F-35, as Morocco explores a potential purchase of the US-made fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Lockheed Martin Expands Vectis Production With Four Additional Aircraft
Skunk Works is moving ahead with four additional Vectis vehicles as the company accelerates development of its Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft toward a planned first flight in 2027. Lockheed Martin is significantly expanding its Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, with the Skunk Works division now planning to build four additional vehicles beyond the […]
Lockheed Martin Plans to Fly ‘Vectis’ CCA by End of 2027
Lockheed Martin’s proposed autonomous drone, called Vectis, is still on track to fly a prototype by the end of 2027, an official from the company’s Skunk Works division said Sept. 10, and the firm already started work on four more Vectis aircraft. The post Lockheed Plans to Fly ‘Vectis’ CCA by End of 2027, Already Working on More Aircraft appeared first on Air & Space Forces Magazine.
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