The Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone, unveiled by the company’s Skunk Works division, marks a new chapter in autonomous air power and collaborative combat aviation. Lockheed Martin, a leading global aerospace and defense company, was founded in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company has been at the forefront of advanced aviation, space, and defense technologies for decades.
Within Lockheed, the Skunk Works division, based in Palmdale, California, has earned a reputation for pioneering highly classified and cutting-edge projects. Established in 1943, Skunk Works is known for developing some of the most iconic aircraft in history, including the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, and F-117 Nighthawk, often operating with exceptional secrecy and innovation.
Lockheed Martin’s entry into the drone industry began with the development of the RQ-170 Sentinel, a stealth reconnaissance UAV. Believed to have entered service around 2007, the RQ-170 featured a flying wing design and advanced sensor systems, capable of conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in highly sensitive areas.
Following the Sentinel, Lockheed expanded its drone capabilities in collaboration with other defense contractors. The MQ-9 Reaper, developed primarily by General Atomics but often operated in tandem with Lockheed platforms, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone introduced in 2007, capable of both precision strikes and intelligence collection. Later, the MQ-4C Triton, designed for maritime surveillance, entered service with the U.S. Navy in 2018, offering high-altitude, long-endurance capabilities to monitor vast ocean areas. Together, these platforms demonstrated the strategic value of unmanned aerial systems in modern military operations.
Unveiling the Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone
In a major development for autonomous combat aviation, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division unveiled its latest UAV, the Vectis, on September 21, 2025, ahead of the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone is a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) designed to operate as an autonomous wingman for manned fighters like the F-35 and F-22.
The drone is intended for missions such as surveillance, electronic warfare, precision strikes, and aerial combat, allowing manned aircraft to leverage its capabilities in high-risk environments.
The Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone is designed for versatility, capable of performing precision strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and both offensive and defensive counter-air operations. The platform integrates seamlessly with fifth-generation and next-generation fighters, advancing the U.S. military’s Family of Systems concept for air dominance.
“We’re not simply building a new platform, we’re creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable, and affordable agile drone framework.” – OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works
Its modular design enables rapid upgrades and mission-specific customization, ensuring adaptability to changing combat environments. Skunk Works has conducted classified testing to pair Vectis with F-22 and F-35 aircraft, demonstrating its ability to operate effectively in crewed-uncrewed teaming scenarios. For broader context on autonomous drone technology, see our ongoing coverage.
Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone Development and Testing
The development of Vectis is in progress, with parts already ordered and a dedicated team executing the project. Lockheed Martin anticipates the first flight of the Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone within two years, aiming for operational capability by 2027.
While specific details about the engine and performance remain undisclosed, the platform is designed to match the speed and agility of fifth-generation fighters, though it is not intended to be supersonic. Costing for Vectis is designed to be competitive within the collaborative combat aircraft class.
Lockheed Martin is leveraging digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and modular design to drive both affordability and accelerated development. The platform is also built to align with Government Reference Architectures, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of command and control systems without being tied to a single vendor. Learn more about pathways to military drone operations and certification.
“CCA is about delivering decisive advantage in highly contested environments. The program is accelerating fielding through innovative design and acquisition strategies, and both vendors are meeting or exceeding key milestones.” – General David Allvin, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff
Vectis Drone Shaping the Future of Air Combat
The Lockheed Martin Vectis Drone represents a major step forward in autonomous air combat technology, combining stealth, survivability, and adaptability in a cost-conscious design. Its development reinforces Lockheed Martin’s commitment to providing the U.S. military and its allies with cutting-edge, versatile platforms.
As the first flight approaches, the Vectis is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of air combat operations and redefining how manned and unmanned aircraft work together in contested skies.
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