Lockheed Martin reveals Vectis ‘loyal wingman' CCA

Vectis is designed to be an affordable yet capable Group 5 ‘loyal wingman' for manned combat aircraft. (Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has unveiled its new unmanned ‘loyal wingman' collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) concept, dubbed Vectis.

Revealed on 21 September, Vectis has been designed by the company's Skunk Works advanced technologies division to be a Group 5, non-attritable, and low-observable (stealthy) force multiplier to manned combat aircraft.

“Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development, and autonomy,” said OJ Sanchez, vice-president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.

Being a Group 5 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Vectis is to be a large, long-range, and high-speed system, with Lockheed Martin noting it will embody autonomous systems and open mission architectures, and will utilise the company's MDCX autonomy platform for command-and-control compatibility with other comparable systems.

Mission roles include precision strike, electronic warfare, offensive and defensive counter-air, as well as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), either as a standalone asset or in partnership with manned combat aircraft. “[Its] endurance ranges are compatible with Indo-Pacific, European, and Central Command theatres,” Lockheed Martin said. The company noted that, while non-attritable, Vectis is designed to be affordable.

Vectis' development is now under way, with parts ordered and a team executing its build. Lockheed Martin aims to fly the UAV “within two years”.

For more information on ‘loyal wingman' CCAs, please see Attritable attribute: ‘Loyal wingmen' to add mass to global future fighter efforts .