# Lockheed Martin Develops Vectis Drone for USAF

Lockheed Martin is advancing its Vectis drone program to incorporate capabilities comparable to its F-35 fighter jet, emphasizing autonomy and crewed-uncrewed teaming technologies. This development supports the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, particularly for Increment 2, which may integrate advanced or attritable drones alongside manned platforms. Procurement professionals and contractors should note this signals a strategic shift toward integrating sophisticated unmanned systems with existing air combat assets, potentially opening opportunities for technology providers specializing in autonomy, sensor fusion, and drone teaming.

- The U.S. Air Force's CCA Increment 2 program is exploring next-generation drone capabilities, indicating forthcoming solicitations or contract awards in this domain.
- Lockheed Martin, as prime contractor, is positioning the Vectis drone as a key asset, suggesting competitive dynamics around advanced unmanned combat systems.
- Companies involved in autonomy, AI, and crewed-uncrewed teaming technologies may find increased demand aligned with USAF modernization priorities.
- Procurement teams should prepare for evolving requirements emphasizing interoperability between manned and unmanned platforms, impacting contract scopes and evaluation criteria.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** September 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Air Force (USAF)

### Vendors
- Lockheed Martin (prime contractor)

### Sources
- [Lockheed Martin Vectis To Have 'F-35 Like Capabilities' - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/lockheed-martin-vectis-to-have-f-35-like-capabilities/air-force) - Defense Daily