Lockheed Martin launches Vectis Group 5 CCA

Lockheed Martin’s storied Skunk Works organisation in Palmdale, California, has launched Vectis, a Group 5 survivable and lethal autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Vectis embodies the company’s pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems and open mission architectures, says Lockheed Martin, and Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.

The new CCA is designed to undertake precision strike, ISR targeting, electronic warfare and offensive and defensive counter-air missions, Lockheed Martin says. It provides multi-domain connectivity, whether standalone or as part of integrated teaming missions with crewed aircraft like the F-35. And it has extended range and endurance necessary for the Indo-Pacific, European and Central Command theatres, the company adds.

“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, which is more formally known as the company’s Advanced Development Programs (ADP) organisation. “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.”

Vectis integrates with 5th and next-gen aircraft, Lockheed Martin says. It includes the company’s proven performance on common control systems like the MDCX™ to ensure compatibility across the command and control spectrum.

The Vectis design leverages decades of company experience in developing stealth features to achieve best in CCA class survivability, but Lockheed Martin doesn’t explain whether it uses shaping or coatings, or a combination of the two, to deliver stealth and survivability.

The CCA also uses advanced manufacturing and digital engineering techniques learned from next-generation aircraft development to drive both affordability and speed of manufacture, Lockheed Martin says. Vectis will be offered at a CCA price point, the company states. And to avoid vendor lock, Vectis will use open system avionics architecture and align to common Government Reference Architectures.