EVOTL/Drone Autonomous Vehicle / UGV Industrial Education & Research
Lockheed Martin Expands Investment in Vectis Stealth Drone with Five Prototypes Planned
Original from BreakingDefense: Lockheed boosts bet on Skunk Works’ Vectis stealth drone

Lockheed Martin Expands Investment in Vectis Stealth Drone with Five Prototypes Planned

Lockheed Martin has announced plans to develop five prototypes of the Vectis stealth drone, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 2027.

This initiative underscores Lockheed's commitment to advancing stealth technology and enhancing its capabilities in unmanned aerial systems. The Vectis project is part of Lockheed's broader strategy to innovate within its Skunk Works division, known for pioneering advanced aerospace technologies.

As the development progresses, industry stakeholders will be keen to monitor the Vectis program's milestones and its potential impact on future defense applications. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Editor's Note

Lockheed Martin's investment in the Vectis stealth drone reflects a growing trend in defense technology, where companies are increasingly focusing on unmanned systems. This shift not only enhances operational capabilities but also aligns with evolving military strategies that prioritize stealth and efficiency in aerial operations.

RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.

Share

Related Articles/News

Lockheed Martin Reveals New Details on Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Lockheed Martin Reveals New Details on Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has unveiled new information about its Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), emphasizing its advanced stealth features. The aircraft boasts a unique submerged air inlet design that enhances survivability, setting it apart from other CCA models. With a length of approximately 34 feet and a wingspan of around 38 feet, Vec...

News & Features Air Collaborative Combat Aircraft
New Images of China's WZ-X Stealth Drone Reveal Key Features and Flight Capabilities

New Images of China's WZ-X Stealth Drone Reveal Key Features and Flight Capabilities

Recent images have surfaced showing China's WZ-X stealth drone, resembling the American B-2 Spirit. These photos, taken at an undisclosed location, highlight the drone's unique serrated trailing edge, suggesting advanced stealth capabilities. This design feature is intended to deflect radar signals, enhancing its operational effectiveness in contested air...

Innovation Military
Pentagon Plans to Expand Tech Testing at US-Mexico Border with Unmanned Systems

Pentagon Plans to Expand Tech Testing at US-Mexico Border with Unmanned Systems

The Pentagon is utilizing the US-Mexico border as a testing ground for advanced technologies, including high-energy lasers and unmanned systems. Mark Ditlevson, the assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense, expressed a desire to expand these projects, contingent on future funding from Congress. Current negotiations on the fiscal 2027 budget cou...

Air Warfare Land Warfare Naval Warfare
Maven Robotics Emerges from Stealth with $100 Million Funding and Innovative Automation Solutions

Maven Robotics Emerges from Stealth with $100 Million Funding and Innovative Automation Solutions

In 2024, Maven Robotics, a new startup, secured a significant deal with a major consumer goods company by demonstrating its unique approach to automation. Instead of focusing on single robot solutions, Maven aims to provide end-to-end automation that integrates seamlessly with warehouse management systems. This strategy led to the deployment of eight robo...

AI Robotics Exclusive
Covenant, Defense Tech Startup, Exits Stealth After Securing Over $250 Million

Covenant, Defense Tech Startup, Exits Stealth After Securing Over $250 Million

Covenant, a defense technology startup, has emerged from stealth mode after successfully raising over $250 million through three funding rounds. The company has already secured military contracts in both the US and Europe, positioning itself as a key player in the defense sector by developing cost-effective heavy-payload, long-range cruise missiles. The s...

Dynamic Creatures Launches Interactive Character Robots for Entertainment and Hospitality

Dynamic Creatures Launches Interactive Character Robots for Entertainment and Hospitality

Dynamic Creatures, a robotics startup founded by former executives from Boston Dynamics, Google, and the Robotics and AI Institute, has launched its mobile interactive character robots. These robots are aimed at the entertainment and hospitality sectors, marking a significant step in the application of robotics in these industries. The emergence of Dynami...

Culture News Robotics
International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition Launches Global Recruitment for Real Workstations

International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition Launches Global Recruitment for Real Workstations

The International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition has officially launched its global recruitment initiative, moving beyond traditional exhibition stages. This shift emphasizes the importance of practical applications of embodied intelligence in real-world workstations, showcasing the competition's commitment to integrating advanced robotics skill...

Robotics Automation AI
New Insights on China's WZ-X Stealth Drone's Unique Wing Design Revealed

New Insights on China's WZ-X Stealth Drone's Unique Wing Design Revealed

Recent imagery from China has provided a clearer view of the WZ-X, a large, low-observable flying-wing drone. Initially identified in satellite images from May 2025 at the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s test facility in Xinjiang, the new photographs reveal the aircraft's unusual wing configuration, characterized by a broader-chord inner section that...

Air Air Forces Drones
New Underwater Drone Technology Promises Enhanced Stealth and Tracking Challenges

New Underwater Drone Technology Promises Enhanced Stealth and Tracking Challenges

Recent advancements in military technology have led to the development of a missile-armed underwater drone that is expected to be quieter and harder to track than traditional submarines. This innovation aims to enhance naval capabilities and improve operational effectiveness in various combat scenarios. The significance of this underwater drone lies in it...

Military
China's 40,000-ton Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Completes Final Trials with GJ-21 Drone

China's 40,000-ton Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Completes Final Trials with GJ-21 Drone

China's new Type 076 amphibious assault ship, named Sichuan, has entered its final sea trials alongside sightings of the GJ-21 stealth drone. The ship, displacing approximately 40,000 tonnes, is designed to transport troops, landing craft, armored vehicles, and helicopters for amphibious operations. Notably, Sichuan features an electromagnetic aircraft-la...

Innovation Military
J&T Global Express Expands Automated Sorting Systems and Unmanned Delivery Fleet Growth

J&T Global Express Expands Automated Sorting Systems and Unmanned Delivery Fleet Growth

J&T Global Express has enhanced its automated sortation capabilities by adding 22 new sorting machines, bringing the total to 435 across its express network. This expansion coincides with a significant increase in unmanned delivery vehicles, which rose by 87% to over 1,900 units by June 30, 2026. This growth is crucial as J&T handled 17.50 billion parcels...

Logistics News Warehouse robots
Saildrone and Lockheed Martin Enhance Autonomous Naval Warfare with RIMPAC Missile Launch

Saildrone and Lockheed Martin Enhance Autonomous Naval Warfare with RIMPAC Missile Launch

Saildrone successfully executed two Joint Air-to-Ground Missile launches from its Surveyor unmanned surface vehicle (USV) during the US Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever missile launch from a Saildrone USV, showcasing the integration of Saildrone's technology with Lockheed Martin's miss...

saildrone lockheed martin autonomous naval warfare

Related Suppliers

Lockheed Martin

US aerospace and defense giant with robotics portfolio including ONYX powered knee exoskeleton, FORTIS passive exoskeleton, and HULC load-bearing system.

Vectis Automation LLC

US cobot welding & plasma cutting pioneer founded 2019; 800+ systems deployed, powered by Universal Robots arms; $95k–$140k all-in pricing.

Industrial Manufacturing Robot Manufacturer Mobile Manipulator

Vectioneer BV

Real-time motion planning software for industrial and collaborative robots using CHOMP-based algorithms; enables safe, fast trajectory generation.

Human-Machine Interaction Software & Algorithm Provider Control & Software Systems

CM Labs Simulations

Canadian simulation software company offering the Vortex Studio platform for high-fidelity heavy equipment operator training and engineering simulation.

Applied Minds, LLC

Multidisciplinary technology design studio specializing in R&D, robotics, autonomous systems, and creative innovation.

Xaba

AI-powered cognitive control platform (xCognition) that enables industrial robots and CNC machines to self-program and self-optimize without manual coding.

Lyten

San Jose materials maker whose 3D Graphene supermaterial powers lithium-sulfur EV batteries, 3D-printing filament, and methane-gas sensors.

Frontier Machines

Sunnyvale-based stealth robotics startup building a next-generation robotics platform for autonomous operations and industrial automation.

Leptron Unmanned Aircraft Systems

US manufacturer of industrial unmanned aerial systems for public safety, inspection, and environmental monitoring.

Autonomous Vehicle / UGV Commercial Service Robots

Unmanned Aerial Online

US-based online media platform providing drone and UAV industry news, technology coverage, and commercial UAS market intelligence.

EVOTL/Drone Commercial Service Robots Autonomous Vehicle / UGV

CRG Defense

US defense company (dba of Cornerstone Research Group) delivering missionized unmanned systems, drone payloads, batteries and additive manufacturing.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.

Publicly traded American defense technology company manufacturing jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, hypersonic test vehicles, and satellite ground systems.

Commercial Service Robots Autonomous Vehicle / UGV Logistics & Supply Chain

inJoin the RobotToday community on LinkedIn

Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.