Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Unveils the Innovative Nomad™ Drone Series: Pioneering Long-Endurance, Runway-Free Flight!
Fewer than twelve months after demonstrating the flight effectiveness and dependability of an innovative rotor blown wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary (NYSE: LMT) is revealing its Nomad™ forthcoming series of aircraft.
The dual proprotor configuration merges the adaptability of a helicopter with the velocity and distance of a fixed-wing aircraft. A Nomad vehicle is capable of taking off, hovering, and landing vertically, in addition to cruising on the wing for prolonged durations. Nomads are operated through Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ autonomous technology and predominantly utilize hybrid-electric propulsion, while larger variants will incorporate a traditional drivetrain.
“We employ the term ‘family’ to highlight a significant characteristic of the design; its capacity to be scaled in dimensions from a small Group 3 UAS to the size equivalent of a Black Hawk helicopter,” remarked Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The resulting Nomad family of drones will be versatile, capable of operating anywhere, and able to perform land and sea-based missions across defense, national security, forestry, and civilian sectors. Nomads serve as a force multiplier, supplementing the roles of aircraft like the Black Hawk to maintain strategic superiority in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
Sikorsky declared in March 2025 the successful prolonged flight test of its 10.3-ft wingspan prototype Nomad 50 aircraft. At present, Sikorsky is developing its Nomad 100 aircraft. This is a Group 3, 18-ft wingspan variant with its initial flight anticipated in the upcoming months.
Nomad VTOL UAS
- Nomad UAS are tailored for reconnaissance, light assaults, contested logistics, and more.
- The Nomad family can be adjusted from a Group 3 UAS (56 pounds to 1,320 pounds) to Group 4/5 (1,320 pounds and beyond). The Nomad series is powered by fuel-efficient hybrid-electric drivetrains, with the larger variants equipped with a conventional drivetrain.
- MATRIX technology, developed by Sikorsky Innovations and DARPA, is a flexible system, which permits smooth integration with rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. MATRIX has already been showcased across various applications, such as aerial firefighting, logistics resupply, and advanced aerial mobility.
“Nomad signifies new advancements for Sikorsky and the forthcoming generation of autonomous, long-endurance drones,” said Dan Shidler, director of Advanced Programs. “We are responding to feedback from the Pentagon, employing a rapid methodology and creating a lineup of drones that can take off and land virtually anywhere and accomplish the mission – all autonomously and within the control of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen.”
