Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Defense AI System
Lockheed Martin’s secretive Skunk Works has unveiled the “Vectis” drone, a new Group 5 unmanned combat aircraft designed to operate alongside fighter jets. Described as a “highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework,” Vectis is stealthy and survivable, intended to advance air dominance in U.S. and allied service. At its unveiling on 21 September, Skunk Works President O.J. Sanchez hailed Vectis as “not simply a new platform – we’re creating a new paradigm for air power built on advanced autonomy and open architectures.” The company anticipates that the first prototype will fly by 2027.
Vectis is built for multiple combat roles. It can execute precision strikes, electronic warfare, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) missions as a “loyal wingman” to crewed jets. In a public video, a single F-22 pilot is shown commanding four Vectis drones to scout ahead, detect enemy fighters and fire on them under pilot direction. The aircraft is runway-based but designed for agile combat employment – durable materials, simple maintenance and even fold-away “boxed” transport if needed. It “seamlessly integrates with 5th- and next-gen aircraft” on common control networks.
Lockheed Martin pitches Vectis as an AI-enabled, autonomous system that enhances situational awareness and decision-making. Skunk Works refers to it as an “autonomous drone” and emphasizes that its advanced autonomy meets government standards. In fact, Lockheed leadership notes that adding autonomy and AI is what “realizes the capability” of these new platforms. By processing sensor data onboard, Vectis can autonomously search for targets and relay threat information to pilots much faster than traditional systems. Properly trained AI-driven systems integrated into tactical platforms will go a long way to help the warfighter in complex scenarios. Vectis serves as a networked node, fusing data for pilots and providing rapid target recommendations, which modern defense doctrine considers crucial for making command decisions quickly. Lockheed has built flexibility into Vectis’ design – an open architecture lets operators swap sensors, weapons or AI software so the drone can fit specific missions or customer needs.
Lockheed sees strategic value in Vectis for contested, all-domain warfare. It ain to market the drone at an aggressive price point while delivering “best-in-class” stealth and survivability. Built from lessons of past programs, Vectis is smaller than an F-16 fighter and larger than a cruise missile, aiming to pair its radar-evading shape with endurance over vast theaters. Vectis supports the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain vision by integrating with both Air Force and Navy systems.