Says Vehicle Right-Sized Group 5 Platform For USAF, USN

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works revealed its new autonomous drone it calls “Vectis,” which it says is the right size and is adaptable enough to partner with both Air Force and Navy crewed combat aircraft.

While the aircraft is not necessarily aimed at Increment 2 of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, it will be flying within two years and it could fit into the Increment 1 criteria as well. Vectis weighs more than 1,320 pounds and normally flies above FL 180 (18,000 ft MSL) as do other drones selected for Increment 1.

Skunk Works President OJ Sanchez said the aircraft is somewhere between Lockheed’s new Common Multi-Mission Truck cruise missile and an F-16.

In a briefing to the media, Sanchez said, “Skunk Works is charting a critical path with this Vectis program to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point. We’ve conducted classified crewed/uncrewed teaming and operations analysis, pairing F-22s and F-35s with Vectis, and the results are impressive.”

While not disclosing what will power the Vectis, Sanchez did say it will be rapidly upgradeable and customizable. He mentioned that their internal operational analysis is not looking at supersonic capability at this time, but that its signature and communications capabilities are “compatible with fifth- and next-gen aircraft.”

Sanchez added, “Our work is also in complete alignment with U.S. government reference architectures for both autonomy and mission systems. Agreement on these approaches between the services means integration and interoperability can happen across all domains. Again, this isn’t about connecting Lockheed Martin systems with Lockheed Martin systems. We can connect back to any other platform.”

FMI:  www.lockheedmartin.com/