Lockheed Martin unveils Vectis autonomous stealth drone

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), an autonomous stealth drone designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets like the F-35. The company is expanding its development fleet to five airframes to accelerate flight testing and refine the aircraft's modular architecture.

The Vectis program aims for a maiden flight by the end of 2027. Unlike previous Air Force CCA contracts that prioritized low-cost production, Lockheed Martin’s design focuses on stealth and survivability. The aircraft features a modified blended wing-body configuration and lacks vertical control surfaces to minimize its radar signature.

This in-house funded initiative positions Lockheed Martin for potential future US Navy carrier-based drone contracts, overseas sales, or subsequent US Air Force acquisitions, following the company's loss of the initial 2024 CCA contract to General Atomics and Anduril Industries.