Lockheed Martin Advances Vectis Drone Program with Key Propulsion Milestone

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® has announced a critical development in its autonomous systems portfolio, selecting the Williams International FJ44-4 turbofan engine to power the Vectis prototype. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the company’s internally funded “loyal wingman” project, which aims to deliver a high-performance, stealthy uncrewed aerial system (UAS) capable of operating alongside fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.

The announcement, described by the company as “powering up” the prototype, clarifies the Propulsion strategy for the aircraft. While Lockheed Martin is a known leader in directed energy systems, the company confirmed that this specific milestone refers to the integration of the jet engine rather than a laser weapon payload. The Vectis program represents a strategic pivot for the defense giant as it targets the upcoming “Increment 2” of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program and international defense markets.

Technical Specifications and Propulsion

According to the press release, the selection of the Williams International FJ44-4 engine was driven by a need for reliability and speed in development. The FJ44-4 is a commercially proven turbofan engine, widely used in business jets, which offers approximately 3,600 pounds of thrust. By utilizing a mature commercial engine, Skunk Works aims to reduce technical risk and accelerate the flight testing timeline.

Peter McArdle, Integrated Systems Program Director at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the strategic value of this choice in the company’s statement:

“By leveraging a mature, rugged turbofan, we can accelerate our timeline and demonstrate a game-changing capability quickly.”

Performance Capabilities

The Vectis prototype is designed as a Group 5 UAS, a classification for large, high-altitude Drones. The aircraft features a “lambda wing” tailless design and utilizes advanced composite materials to achieve what Lockheed Martin describes as “best-in-class” low observability (stealth). Key performance metrics released by the company include:

• Speed: High subsonic (estimated Mach 0.8 – 0.85), designed to keep pace with crewed fighters.
• Range: Greater than 1,000 nautical miles, specifically tailored for the vast distances of the Indo-Pacific theater.
• Endurance: Four or more hours of flight time.
• Timeline: First flight is scheduled for 2027.

Strategic Context: The CCA Competition

The development of Vectis occurs against the backdrop of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) competition. In April 2024, the Air Force selected Startups Anduril and General Atomics for the first round of the program, bypassing traditional prime contractors like Lockheed Martin. In response, Skunk Works has chosen to internally fund the Vectis program rather than wait for a government contract.

Lockheed Martin is positioning Vectis as a “high-end” alternative to the more “expendable” drones currently being prioritized. The platform is designed with an open systems architecture, allowing for the integration of third-party software and payloads, a direct response to government demands for modularity and the avoidance of vendor lock-in.

OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, highlighted the broader vision for the platform:

“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.”

AirPro News Analysis

The “Attritable” vs. “Survivable” Debate

The Vectis program highlights a central debate in modern aerial warfare: the trade-off between cost and survivability. While the initial round of the CCA program favored lower-cost, “attritable” systems that commanders might be willing to lose in combat, Lockheed Martin is betting that peer conflicts, specifically against adversaries with advanced air defense systems, will require more robust, stealthy platforms.

By targeting “Increment 2” of the CCA program, Lockheed appears to be wagering that the Air Force’s requirements will shift back toward higher performance and survivability once the limitations of cheaper drones are fully understood. Furthermore, the focus on F-35 compatibility suggests a strong play for international export markets, where allies operating the Joint Strike Fighter (such as the UK, Australia, and Japan) will require autonomous wingmen that match the stealth profile of their crewed fleets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the “Powering Up” headline mean Vectis has a laser weapon?
No. The phrase refers to the selection of the turbofan engine for propulsion. While the aircraft has an open architecture that could theoretically support various payloads, the current announcement is strictly about the flight engine.

When will the Vectis drone fly?
Lockheed Martin has set an aggressive timeline, with the First-Flight scheduled for 2027.

Is the U.S. Government funding this project?
Currently, the project is internally funded by Lockheed Martin. The company is developing the prototype independently to demonstrate capability for future U.S. and international contracts.

What weapons can Vectis carry?
The aircraft features a modular payload bay designed to carry air-to-air missiles (such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM), small diameter bombs, or sensors for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare.

Sources: Lockheed Martin

This article summarizes reporting by The Chosun Ilbo.

Hanwha Systems Breaks into U.S. Market with Boeing F-15 Avionics Deal

South Korean defense firm Hanwha Systems has secured a landmark agreement with Boeing to supply advanced cockpit displays for the F-15 fighter jet program. According to reporting by The Chosun Ilbo on December 18, 2025, this contract represents the first time Hanwha Systems has exported digital avionics technology directly to the United States, marking a significant milestone for the South Korean defense industry’s global expansion.

The agreement focuses on the “Eagle Large Area Display” (ELAD), a next-generation interface designed to modernize the cockpits of the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX Eagle II and the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) F-15K Slam Eagle. While specific financial terms were not disclosed in the report, the deal validates the competitiveness of Korean defense electronics in the highly stringent U.S. market.

Modernizing the Eagle: The ELAD System

The core of the contract involves the supply of the Eagle Large Area Display (ELAD). The Chosun Ilbo reports that this system replaces the traditional array of scattered instrument panels with a single, high-definition large screen. This consolidation allows pilots to view critical flight and mission data intuitively, aiming to improve situational awareness during complex operations.

Key technical features highlighted in the report include:

• Touch Interface: A touch-based system allowing pilots to transmit commands directly to the mission computer.
• Integration: Optimization for the specific mission environment of the F-15EX.
• Heritage: The technology leverages advancements Hanwha originally developed for the KF-21 Boramae, South Korea’s indigenous fighter jet.

Faye Dixon, Director of Boeing F-15 International, noted the operational benefits of the system in the original report.

“The ELAD provides pilots with a high-resolution, large color display optimized for the F-15EX, enhancing combat readiness and maintainability.”

, Faye Dixon, via The Chosun Ilbo

Strategic Context and Industrial Cooperation

This export success is described as a direct outcome of the “industrial cooperation strategy” spearheaded by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). In November 2024, DAPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Boeing to integrate more South Korean suppliers into the F-15K performance upgrade supply chain.

According to the report, Hanwha Systems is utilizing its experience in developing core avionics for the KF-21, including mission computers and AESA radar, to meet Boeing’s standards. A Hanwha Systems official emphasized the broader implications of the deal.

“The export… is significant as it signifies recognition of Hanwha Systems’ avionics technology and quality in the U.S. domestic market.”

, Hanwha Systems Official, via The Chosun Ilbo

AirPro News Analysis

We view this agreement as a pivotal shift for the South Korean defense sector. Historically viewed primarily as a manufacturer of heavy hardware and structural components, South Korean firms are now successfully penetrating the high-value avionics and software market. By securing a spot on the F-15EX, a platform designed with an “open architecture” to remain relevant for decades, Hanwha Systems has effectively future-proofed a portion of its export portfolio.

Furthermore, the F-15 platform is widely used by allied nations, including Japan, Singapore, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Successful integration into the U.S. fleet likely positions Hanwha as a strong contender for modernization programs in these other nations, potentially challenging established Western electronics suppliers.

Sources

Sources: The Chosun Ilbo

This article is based on an official press release from Skyryse.

Skyryse Completes Historic First Flight of Black Hawk Helicopters with SkyOS

On December 22, 2025, California-based aviation technology company Skyryse successfully completed the first flight of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with its universal flight operating system, SkyOS. The flight, conducted at the company’s headquarters in El Segundo, marks a significant milestone in the modernization of legacy rotary-wing aircraft.

According to the company’s announcement, the flight demonstrated the ability to retrofit a military-grade utility helicopter with simplified, fly-by-wire automation in just 91 days. The modified aircraft replaces the complex array of traditional mechanical controls, such as the cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals, with a single four-axis control stick and a touchscreen interface.

Skyryse aims to use this technology to standardize flight controls across different airframes, potentially reducing pilot workload and training requirements while enhancing Safety through automated envelope protection.

Redefining the Cockpit Interface

The core of this achievement is the integration of SkyOS, which Skyryse describes as the “world’s first universal operating system for flight.” In the demonstration flight, Skyryse Test Pilot Eric Stierna utilized the system to perform automated takeoff, hover, and landing maneuvers.

The company reports that the traditional mechanical linkages inside the Black Hawk were removed and replaced with a triply-redundant fly-by-wire system. This architecture is designed to meet “10^-9” (one in a billion) failure probability standards, ensuring high reliability. The new interface allows pilots to execute critical phases of flight, such as lifting off or setting down, with simple “swipe” gestures on a touchscreen.

“I swiped my finger and climbed into a completely stable hover… I swiped again and descended into a perfect setdown.”

, Eric Stierna, Skyryse Test Pilot

By utilizing a single four-axis stick, the system manages the complex mixing of flight controls automatically. This contrasts sharply with traditional helicopter operation, which requires the pilot to coordinate four limbs simultaneously to maintain stability.

Strategic Implications for Defense and Civil Aviation

The rapid integration timeline, completed in roughly three months, suggests a scalable model for upgrading existing fleets. Skyryse has established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army to evaluate the technology for its fleet of over 2,400 Black Hawks.

The technology transforms the Black Hawk into an “optionally piloted” vehicle (OPV). According to Skyryse, this capability allows the Army to conduct missions with a traditional crew, a single pilot, or zero pilots for high-risk scenarios such as resupply or extraction in contested environments.

AirPro News Analysis

The successful demonstration of SkyOS on a heavy-lift Military-Aircraft platform like the Black Hawk represents a potential paradigm shift for fleet modernization. Traditionally, achieving fly-by-wire capabilities and high-level autonomy required purchasing entirely new airframes, a process that takes decades and billions of dollars in procurement.

If Skyryse can validate the safety and reliability of its 91-day retrofit cycle at scale, it offers defense operators a cost-effective alternative: upgrading legacy airframes to near-peer technological status with modern platforms. Furthermore, the simplification of controls could drastically lower the cost and duration of rotary-wing pilot training, addressing ongoing personnel shortages in both military and commercial sectors.

Commercial Partnerships and Safety Features

Beyond military applications, Skyryse is targeting the civil sector through a partnership with Ace Aeronautics, a major reseller and upgrader of Black Hawk helicopters. The collaboration aims to offer SkyOS-equipped aircraft for global markets, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and humanitarian aid.

A key feature of the system is “Dynamic Envelope Protection.” SkyOS continuously monitors flight parameters to prevent the aircraft from entering unsafe states, such as stalling or entering a vortex ring state, common causes of fatal accidents in traditional helicopters. Mark Groden, CEO and Founder of Skyryse, emphasized the transformative nature of the technology in the company’s press statement.

“The Black Hawk is one of the most proven, versatile aircraft in history… Black Hawk with SkyOS is a fundamentally different aircraft in its capabilities, flexibility, and safety.”

, Mark Groden, CEO of Skyryse

Founded in 2016, Skyryse has raised over $290 million from Investments including Fidelity, Venrock, and Bill Ford. The company previously achieved the first automated autorotation in a helicopter and is currently pursuing Certification for “Skyryse One,” a modified Robinson R66 utilizing the same underlying technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SkyOS?

SkyOS is a universal flight operating system designed to be aircraft-agnostic. It replaces complex mechanical flight controls with a simplified fly-by-wire interface, using a single stick and touchscreens to control the aircraft.

Is the SkyOS Black Hawk fully autonomous?

The system enables the aircraft to be “optionally piloted.” It can be flown by a human pilot using simplified controls, or it can operate autonomously (zero pilots) for specific missions, depending on the configuration and requirements.

How long did the retrofit take?

Skyryse reported that the retrofit of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk was completed in 91 days.

Sources: Skyryse Official Press Release