Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Skunk Works Aims Vectis CCA at International Market
The first example of the Vectis is in build and due to fly in 2027
Lockheed Martin Vectis
Lockheed Martin’s stealthy Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft is almost as large as an F-16 manned fighter. © David McIntosh/AIN

While the U.S. Air Force’s Increment 1 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program is now defined and in evaluation with two competing types (General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A), Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works is forging ahead with a larger and more sophisticated CCA that could end up informing the definition of requirements for Increment 2 while also meeting the CCA needs of international partners.

Known as Vectis, the CCA was developed with internal funding, initially with the international market in mind. Lockheed Martin has chosen this route rather than wait for Increment 2 to be defined, although the U.S. is following the program closely. The design adheres to the U.S. reference architecture for autonomy and mission systems to ensure its compatibility with future USAF requirements.

In this article