Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has introduced Vectis, a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), designed to provide air dominance. Vectis integrates with existing aircraft, offering capabilities like precision strike and electronic warfare. Its open architecture promotes adaptability and affordability, leveraging advanced materials and digital engineering. Vectis aims for rapid deployment and is currently under development, emphasizing survivability, multi-role functionality, and alignment with evolving defense architectures, reflecting Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advanced, cost-effective defense solutions.

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully concluded MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) demonstrations ahead of schedule. The tests validated autonomous behaviors, multi-ship coordination, and seamless integration with manned platforms like the E-7A Wedgetail. Data fusion and transfer between MQ-28s and manned aircraft were also demonstrated. These capabilities will be incorporated into Block 2 aircraft, paving the way for future operational capability. A planned air-to-air weapon shot is scheduled for later this year or early 2026.