Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack helicopter, first flight planned for 2027

Published Jul 20, 11:30 AM UTC

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.