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Last Update: 09/15/2026 at 6:33 PM EST
Vectis Scales Up Before First Flight
Coverage from Breaking Defense, Military Times, and others
What's Going On
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works is expanding its Vectis combat-drone effort from one planned aircraft to five prototypes, with first flight expected by the end of 2027.
The Group 5, tailless aircraft is designed to operate autonomously or alongside F-35s and other crewed tactical aircraft for strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and counter-air missions. Additional prototypes and digital manufacturing methods are intended to accelerate testing and validate lower-cost production, although no customer, contract, price, or final Collaborative Combat Aircraft selection has been announced.
Additional Articles
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Lockheed Martin announced in National Harbor, Maryland, that the company will build four additional Vectis stealth-drone prototypes to accelerate testing and production validation.
Lockheed Martin is building five Vectis autonomous Group 5 drones in the United States, targeting a prototype flight by the end of 2027 for potential Collaborative Combat Aircraft missions.
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Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works announced in National Harbor, Maryland, that it will build four additional Vectis uncrewed combat aircraft, with the first flight expected by the end of 2027.
Skunk Works plans to build four additional Vectis combat drones near Washington, D.C., as Lockheed Martin prepares the platform for U.S. military and allied fighter integration.
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works announced four more Vectis prototypes during an Air, Space and Cyber conference in National Harbor, Maryland, with first flight planned by the end of 2027.