Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous tiltrotor attack drone for US Army
Anduril Industries, in partnership with Archer Aviation, unveiled the Thunder, a Group 5 autonomous tiltrotor attack drone at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Designed as a wingman for crewed helicopters like the Apache, the hybrid-electric aircraft can carry up to ten missiles or 76 rockets. It uses Anduril's Lattice autonomy software for formation flight and aims to triple munitions capacity at reduced cost. First flight is planned for 2027, with potential production by decade's end.
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Anduril Unveils Thunder Unmanned Combat Helicopter at Farnborough Airshow
At the Farnborough International Airshow, defense technology company Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, unveiled the Thunder, a new unmanned combat helicopter designed to operate as an AI-controlled wingman for manned Apache attack helicopters. The Thunder is intended to triple available munitions per Apache by deploying swarms of autonomous systems. Pilots will command the drones via Anduril's Lattice mission software, specifying objectives rather than manually flying. Currently existing only as a scale model, Anduril targets a first flight in 2027, with the USA seen as a potential customer. The unveiling is strategically timed with the UK's Project NYX program seeking unmanned systems for its Apache fleet. Separately, Anduril and Brazil's Embraer signed a letter of intent to integrate Anduril's palletized Barracuda-500M cruise missile into the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, expanding its role from tactical airlift to munitions deployment.
Anduril Unveils Thunder Unmanned Combat Helicopter at Farnborough Airshow
At the Farnborough International Airshow, defense technology company Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, unveiled the Thunder, a new unmanned combat helicopter. The manufacturer promises the aircraft 'flies like an Apache, fights like three,' aiming to triple munitions capacity for attack helicopter brigades. The Thunder is designed to operate as an AI-controlled wingman, commanded via Anduril's Lattice mission software, allowing pilots to control swarms of autonomous systems. Currently existing only as a scale model, a flight-capable prototype is expected by 2027. The US is considered a future customer, and the UK's Project NYX program may also be a target. Separately, Anduril signed a letter of intent with Brazil's Embraer to integrate the Barracuda-500M palletized cruise missile into the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, enabling air-launch munitions capabilities.
Anduril Unveils Thunder Unmanned Combat Helicopter at Farnborough Airshow
At the Farnborough International Airshow, defense technology company Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, unveiled the Thunder, a new unmanned combat helicopter designed to operate as an AI-controlled wingman for manned attack helicopters like the Apache. The manufacturer promises the Thunder 'flies like an Apache, fights like three,' aiming to triple available munitions per Apache by deploying swarms of autonomous drones. The system is controlled via Anduril's Lattice mission software, handling formation flight and collision avoidance autonomously. Currently existing only as a scale model, Anduril targets the first flight for 2027, with the United States considered a future customer. The unveiling is also notable in the context of the UK's Project NYX program, which seeks unmanned systems for its Apache fleet. Separately at the airshow, Anduril signed a letter of intent with Brazil's Embraer to integrate the Barracuda-500M cruise missile into the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for air-launch munitions deployment.
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Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, enabling it to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder is designed to address the growing threat to attack helicopters from loitering munitions, cheap air defenses, and persistent ISR platforms. Its mission suite includes long-range mass effects delivery, fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested cargo logistics. The aircraft can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. It operates using Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, allowing autonomous formation flight without pilot control. The Thunder can be packed into a standard shipping container for transport. Anduril targets a first flight in 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, unveiled the Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. The Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. Thunder uses Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for autonomous formation flight and separation management, eliminating the need for direct pilot control. Its modular payload bays can carry precision munitions, electronic warfare payloads, rockets, and counter-drone munitions, with configurable loads including up to 10 air-to-ground missiles or 76 70mm rockets. Missions include fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. The aircraft is transportable in a standard shipping container. Anduril targets a first flight in 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft Thunder at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled its autonomous attack rotorcraft, dubbed Thunder, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder aims to address battlefield challenges posed by drones, loitering munitions, and cheap air defenses that have made near-surface operations highly lethal. Its mission suite includes fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. The aircraft can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. It operates autonomously using Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, eliminating the need for pilot control. The Thunder can be packed into a standard shipping container for transport. First flight is targeted for 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft 'Thunder' at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled its autonomous attack rotorcraft, named Thunder, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow on July 20. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder aims to address battlefield stalemates caused by drone proliferation, loitering munitions, and cheap air defenses. It will use Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for autonomous flight, eliminating the need for pilot control. The aircraft can be configured for various missions including fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and contested logistics. It can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. Anduril targets a first flight in 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril Unveils Thunder Autonomous Attack Rotorcraft at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder aims to address battlefield stalemates caused by drone proliferation by providing mass effects delivery, fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. Its modular payload bays can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. The aircraft uses Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for autonomous formation flying, eliminating the need for direct pilot control. Anduril targets a first flight in 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft Thunder at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, enabling it to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder is designed to address battlefield challenges posed by drones and cheap air defenses that have made near-surface operations lethal. Its mission suite includes fire support, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. The aircraft can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-drone munitions. It operates using Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, eliminating the need for pilot control. The Thunder can be packed into a standard shipping container. First flight is targeted for 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft Thunder at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder uses Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for autonomous flight and formation management, eliminating the need for pilot control. Its modular payload bays can carry precision munitions, electronic warfare payloads, rockets, and counter-drone munitions, with configurable loads including 10 air-to-ground missiles or 76 70mm rockets. Missions include fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. Anduril targets a first flight in 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft Thunder at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled its new autonomous attack rotorcraft, named Thunder, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, designed to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder is intended to address battlefield challenges posed by drones, loitering munitions, and cheap air defenses that have made near-surface operations highly lethal. It can perform missions including fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. The aircraft uses Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software for autonomous flight and formation management, eliminating the need for pilot control. It can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. First flight is targeted for 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing aircraft features a series hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, enabling it to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder is designed to address the growing threat to attack helicopters from loitering munitions, cheap air defenses, and persistent ISR platforms. Its mission suite includes long-range mass effects delivery, fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested cargo logistics. The aircraft has modular internal payload bays capable of carrying up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. It operates using Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, allowing autonomous formation flight without pilot control. The Thunder can be packed into a standard shipping container. First flight is targeted for 2027; no price has been announced.
Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft Thunder at Farnborough Airshow
Anduril Industries unveiled the Thunder, an autonomous attack rotorcraft, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow on July 20. Developed in partnership with Archer Aviation, the Group 5 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft features a series hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors, enabling it to operate alongside current and next-generation crewed attack helicopters like the Apache and Cheyenne II. The Thunder is designed to address the growing threat to attack helicopters from loitering munitions, cheap air defenses, and persistent ISR platforms. It can operate independently or in autonomous formations, performing missions including fire support, ISR, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and contested logistics. The aircraft uses Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, eliminating the need for pilot control. It can carry up to 10 air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, plus counter-UAS munitions. The Thunder is transportable in a standard shipping container, with first flight targeted for 2027. No price has been announced.
Anduril Unveils Thunder Autonomous Attack Helicopter to Replace Crewed Rotorcraft
Anduril Industries has announced Thunder, a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft designed to team with crewed helicopters like the Apache, absorbing the risk from cheap drones and loitering munitions that have made traditional attack helicopters too dangerous to fly near the front line. Co-developed with Archer Aviation, Thunder uses a tiltrotor configuration with a hybrid-electric powertrain and Anduril's Optimum-Speed Tiltrotor technology for reduced fuel burn and lower acoustic signature. The aircraft features modular payload bays capable of carrying ten air-to-ground missiles, sixteen air-launched effects, or seventy-six 70mm rockets, plus counter-drone interceptors. Anduril frames Thunder as an affordable mass platform, allowing three aircraft to team with a single Apache to triple munitions capacity without risking additional pilots. First flight is planned for 2027.
Anduril unveils Thunder armed drone gunship to fly alongside Apache helicopters
Anduril has unveiled Thunder, a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft designed to fly alongside crewed Apache attack helicopters, multiplying combat power while reducing risk to pilots. The tiltrotor can carry ten Hellfire-class missiles or 76 70mm rockets, with first flight planned for 2027. Thunder is a defense-specific variant of a dual-use platform co-developed with Archer Aviation, featuring a series hybrid-electric powertrain and tiltrotor configuration for vertical take-off and landing and efficient cruise. The aircraft runs Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, enabling pilots to direct the drone through intent rather than manual controls. Anduril says three Thunders paired with each Apache would give a Combat Aviation Brigade a threefold increase in available munitions at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent crewed formation. The launch follows Anduril winning the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program contract with its FQ-44, extending autonomous teaming concepts to attack aviation.
Anduril Unveils Thunder Autonomous Tiltrotor Attack Drone Concept
Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, has revealed the Thunder, a hybrid-electric tiltrotor combat drone designed as a highly autonomous wingman for crewed rotorcraft like the AH-64 Apache and MV-75 Cheyenne II. The Group 5 drone is intended for low-altitude, nap-of-the-earth flight, offering high speed and range comparable to the Cheyenne II. Thunder is designed to hunt targets, provide close-in defense against air-to-air drone threats, and allow human pilots to stay further from danger. A mockup is on display at the Farnborough International Airshow, with a first flight targeted for 2026 and potential production by the end of the decade. The drone can be broken down for transport in a standard shipping container and features a series hybrid-electric powertrain for optimized performance.
Anduril Unveils Autonomous Tiltrotor Attack Drone Concept 'Thunder'
Anduril, in partnership with Archer Aviation, has revealed a new hybrid-electric tiltrotor combat drone called Thunder. Designed as a highly autonomous wingman for crewed rotorcraft like the AH-64 Apache and MV-75 Cheyenne II, Thunder is intended to fly low-altitude nap-of-the-earth missions to hunt targets and provide close-in defense against air-to-air drone threats. The Group 5 drone has been in development for three years, with a first flight targeted for 2026 and potential production by the end of the decade. A mockup reflecting a mature design was displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow. Anduril has been working with unnamed government customers on the project. The drone features a series hybrid-electric powertrain and optimum-speed tiltrotors for range and endurance, and can be broken down for transport in a standard shipping container.
Anduril unveils autonomous tiltrotor drone wingman for US Army helicopters
Anduril, a California-based defense firm, announced the development of an autonomous attack tiltrotor named Thunder, designed as a robotic wingman for US Army helicopters. The announcement comes one month after Anduril won the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) contract. Thunder is a vertical-takeoff-and-landing, hybrid-electric, group five-sized drone that can be packed into a standard shipping container. It is being developed with Archer Aviation, with first flight expected in 2027. Anduril claims three Thunder drones could accompany each Apache helicopter, tripling available munitions at a fraction of the cost of crewed aircraft. The drone can carry up to ten Hellfire missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets. Anduril officials stated production could begin by the end of the decade, with rate production in the 2030-2039 timeframe. The company debuted the model at the Farnborough Airshow to attract international customers, including the UK and European partners. Boeing has also unveiled a similar tiltrotor drone wingman concept.
Anduril unveils autonomous tiltrotor drone wingman for US Army helicopters
Anduril, a California-based defense firm, announced the development of an autonomous attack tiltrotor named Thunder, just weeks after winning the U.S. Air Force's drone wingman contract. The vertical-takeoff-and-landing rotorcraft is designed to be heavily armed, hybrid-electric powered, and transportable in a standard shipping container. Developed with Archer Aviation, first flight is planned for 2027. Company officials say multiple Thunders could accompany each crewed helicopter, such as the Apache, tripling available munitions at a fraction of the cost. The aircraft can carry up to ten air-to-ground missiles, 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets. Anduril hopes to sell the system to the U.S. Army and international customers, with potential production starting by the end of the decade. Boeing has also unveiled a similar tiltrotor drone concept.