Lockheed Martin Skunk Works unveils work on Vectis CCA

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works announced on 21 September 2025 that it is working on a new collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) called Vectis.

Describing Vectis as a Group 5 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which refers to any UAV that weighs more than 1,320 lb (598.7 kg) and has a nominal operating altitude above 18,000 feet, Lockheed Martin said the CCA would be “survivable and lethal” and “advance unparalleled air dominance for American and allied militaries”.

“This system embodies the company’s pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems and open mission architectures,” Lockheed Martin stated. “As the future of air power takes shape, Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.”

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager form Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, was quoted in a Lockheed Martin press release as saying, “Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development and autonomy. We’re not simply building a new platform; we’re creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customisable and affordable agile drone framework.”

Vectis, according to Lockheed Martin, is being designed to seamlessly integrate with fifth- and next-generation aircraft to advance the ‘family of systems’ concept for next-generation air dominance. It will be capable of executing precision strike; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance targeting; electronic warfare; and offensive and defensive counter-air missions at extended ranges either on its own or as part of manned/unmanned formations with aircraft like the F-35.

The Vectis design will be stealthy to deliver “best-in-CCA-class survivability”, affordable through the application of advanced manufacturing and digital engineering techniques, and have an opens systems architecture to guarantee the US government and allies that there will be no ‘vendor lock’.

In terms of progress with Vectis, Lockheed Martin noted that company-funded development is already underway.

“Parts are ordered and a team is executing. Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers’ evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined,” Lockheed Martin stated.