Lockheed Martin has unveiled technical details for its Vectis autonomous combat system, designed as an AI-driven platform for collaborative air warfare. The system is intended to operate alongside manned aircraft in high-threat environments, serving as a key component of next-generation air combat architectures.
Unlike traditional drone projects, Vectis functions as a modular, open-architecture digital combat framework. It is designed to integrate across various platforms, including existing drones and future collaborative combat aircraft. This approach aims to reduce upgrade costs and accelerate deployment cycles for new military equipment.
The system is being developed for the US Air Force's collaborative combat aircraft concept. It allows a single pilot to command multiple autonomous wingmen capable of performing reconnaissance, electronic warfare, target acquisition, and strike missions. This setup is intended to minimize risks to human pilots.
Vectis incorporates a human-in-the-loop design, ensuring that while the AI manages high-speed tactical decisions, critical operational choices remain under human control. The system has already undergone extensive digital simulation and virtual testing, covering complex combat scenarios and electronic interference.
Lockheed Martin views Vectis as a shift toward software-centric warfare, where competitive advantage relies on autonomous decision-making and human-machine teaming. The project is currently in the development and verification phase, with plans for flight testing and integration into air combat systems in the coming years.
