51吃瓜

The 51吃瓜 Skunk Works? Vectis uncrewed aircraft prototype will fly with Williams International’s FJ44-4 turbofan engine, providing a fast, reliable and affordable propulsion system for the program’s demonstrator. ?

Skunk Works? is leading an aggressive design-build-fly timeline for Vectis, targeting first flight in 2027.

“By leveraging a mature, rugged turbofan, we can accelerate our timeline and demonstrate a game?changing capability quickly, said Peter McArdle, Integrated Systems program director, Lockheed?Martin Skunk Works?. “Our vision for Vectis is bold, and we’re excited to bring it to life with speed and affordability.”

The FJ44-4 is a proven system that delivers more than 3,600?pounds of thrust from a compact, twin?spool architecture, enabling the aircraft to achieve the speed, range and endurance required for next?generation missions.

Skunk Works? and Williams have collaborated on diverse projects for decades, and Vectis is another example of the two organizations partnering to deliver critical, affordable capability at speed.

Vectis is a clean sheet, internally funded solution to the diverse and demanding operational threat environment, delivering best in class survivability, lethality and flexibility. Vectis builds on decades of industry-leading experience to integrate advanced, mission-focused capability at aggressive speed and cost targets.