Lockheed Martin aims to fly a stealthy, autonomous, multipurpose drone by 2027, the company announced Sunday. Dubbed Vectis, the “category five” drone is intended for surveillance, air-to-air combat and airstrike missions, said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed’s secretive Skunk Works research arm. He said Vectis would connect with fifth-generation and next-generation aircraft: Lockheed’s F-22 and F-35, but also other aircraft. “This isn't about connecting Lockheed Martin systems with Lockheed Martin systems,” Sanchez said. The Air Force asked for $111 million for the CCA program in its 2026 budget documents; the reconciliation bill adds $678 million over five years.