The Sikorsky company, part of Lockheed Martin, has just officially unveiled the Nomad family of drones, a series of unmanned vertical take-off (VTOL) drones that promise to (VTOL) drones that promise to redefine military and civilian operations with their scalable design and advanced autonomy.
Flexible design for demanding environments
The Nomad system merges the vertical agility of a helicopter with the range of a fixed-wing aircraft. fixed-wing aircraft . Thanks to their twin-engine configuration, these aircraft can take off and land vertically, sustain stationary flight and travel at high speed without relying on runways.
This structural versatility allows the design to be scaled up from a small Group 3 UAV to a model comparable in size to a Black Hawk. Thus, they are adapted to both light reconnaissance tasks and logistic missions in contested areas or maritime environments.
Operational autonomy powered by MATRIX
All Nomad models integrate MATRIX autonomy technology. MATRIX technology, developed together with DARPA . This open system, already validated in real-world scenarios such as forest fires or supply transport, allows route planning, obstacle avoidance and fully autonomous mission execution.
Smaller scale models employ hybrid electric propulsion systems while larger variants opt for conventional powertrains to achieve greater payload and range.
Progressive expansion of the program
Following a successful test in March 2025 of the Nomad 50 (3.1-meter wingspan), the Nomad 100, a Group 3 UAV with 5.5-meter wings, is currently under development and is scheduled for first flight in the coming months. This development reaffirms Sikorsky’s commitment to the rapid deployment of modular and operational solutions in demanding environments.
Multiple applications of Nomad drones
Designed for reconnaissance, light attacks and logistical and logistical support in remote areas, Nomad drones Nomad drones drones are set to become key allies in areas such as the Indo-Pacific, where autonomy and infrastructure independence are crucial.
According to Sikorsky, the “family” concept responds to a modular strategy, capable of adjusting to the needs of different branches of defense, national security, and also forestry or civil emergency sectors.
We are responding to the Pentagon’s priorities by offering a solution that can take off and operate from almost any location, without runways, and execute autonomous missions directly by operators in the field.
Said Dan Shidler, director of advanced programs at Sikorsky.
Source and photo: Lockheed Martin
