Lockheed Martin launches the "ghost" Vectis, challenging all opponents in the sky

Lockheed Martin said that Vectis - a new generation of modular stealth UAV promises to become a strategic 'lever', changing the face of future air combat.

Recently, Skunk Works - a mysterious and prestigious division of Lockheed Martin has just introduced the UAV Vectis, a new generation of cooperative combat drone. With a state-of-the-art stealth design and the ambition to test flight in the next two years, Vectis promises to redefine the standards of future combat.

Vectis was developed using the “Agile Drone Framework” philosophy, which focuses on modular design, open systems and flexible integration, rather than being tied to fixed hardware. Even the name Vectis – meaning ‘lever’ in Latin – implies its strategic role, that is, to become an important force that will expand the power and flexibility of future air forces.

According to Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager of Skunk Works, OJ Sanchez, Vectis will provide the US and its allies with long range, high endurance and multi-mission capabilities, from air-to-air, air-to-ground to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Vectis is a Group 5 UAV - the largest and most powerful in the US Army's classification, with a take-off weight of over 600 kg and can operate at altitudes of over 5,000 meters. However, Skunk Works has not revealed specific dimensions, only confirming that Vectis is smaller than the F-16 but larger than the CMMT UAV model.

The simulation image reveals that the Vectis has a tailless lambda wing design, a dorsal air intake, and many details that have been refined to optimize stealth capabilities against both radar and infrared. The promotional video also shows that this UAV uses an S-shaped air duct and a signal-reducing exhaust, reminiscent of previous famous stealth projects such as the RQ-170 Sentinel.

The Vectis is designed to carry a variety of payloads including sensors, compact radars, infrared search systems and in-dash weapons such as air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Lockheed Martin also revealed the potential to integrate an electronic warfare package and a signal transmission system, expanding the role of this UAV in multi-domain warfare.

The big highlight of Vectis is its ability to coordinate operations with F-22 and F-35 fighters. Simulation tests show that pilots can control UAVs directly via the touch screen, turning Vectis into an intelligent "teammate", supporting reconnaissance, combat and real-time data sharing.

Skunk Works emphasizes the openness of the platform, allowing countries and militaries to customize it to their needs. Lockheed Martin also collaborates with BAE Systems in the UK and conducts confidential data sharing testing with international F-35 squadrons, reinforcing the vision of developing Vectis as a global solution.

While it still requires a runway, the Vectis is designed with mobility and ease of maintenance in mind, in line with the “Agile Combat Employment” concept. This allows the UAV to be deployed in dispersed field bases, reducing the risk of attack, a key factor in the increasingly competitive landscape of the Indo- Pacific .

Costs remain unknown, but the Air Force previously set a target of about $20 million for each first-generation CCA. Lockheed Martin is promoting the Vectis as “best-in-class survivability at a competitive price,” though some experts worry that the actual cost may exceed expectations.

The launch of the Vectis comes amid a global surge in stealth UCAV development. China, Russia, India, Türkiye and France are all accelerating their own projects, while Europe’s Airbus has also unveiled its Wingman, a similar design.

Lockheed Martin says the Vectis is just the first step in a larger strategy. With flight testing planned within two years, Skunk Works hopes the UAV will usher in a new era of collaborative operations, where unmanned “stealth warriors” become an indispensable element in future campaigns.

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