Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Launches the Cutting-Edge Nomad™ Drone Series: Redefining Long-Range Flight Beyond Runway Boundaries!
Less than a year after showcasing the flight efficiency and reliability of a groundbreaking rotor-blown wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), is unveiling its Nomad™ upcoming series of aircraft.
The dual-proprotor setup combines the flexibility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. A Nomad vehicle can ascend, hover, and descend vertically, as well as glide on the wing for extended periods. Nomads are powered by Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ autonomous technology and primarily operate using hybrid-electric propulsion, while larger models will feature a conventional drivetrain.
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“We utilize the term ‘family’ to emphasize a crucial trait of the design; its ability to be scaled in size from a small Group 3 UAS to an equivalent size of a Black Hawk helicopter,” stated Rich Benton, Sikorsky’s vice president and general manager. “The resulting Nomad family of drones will be adaptable, capable of operating in any environment, and able to execute land and sea missions across defense, national security, forestry, and commercial sectors. Nomads act as a force multiplier, augmenting the roles of aircraft such as the Black Hawk to maintain strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
Sikorsky announced in March 2025 the successful extended flight trial of its 10.3-ft wingspan prototype Nomad 50 aircraft. Currently, Sikorsky is advancing its Nomad 100 aircraft. This model is a Group 3, 18-ft wingspan variant with its inaugural flight expected in the forthcoming months.
Nomad VTOL UAS
- Nomad UAS are designed for reconnaissance, light assaults, contested logistics, and more.
- The Nomad family can be modified from a Group 3 UAS (56 pounds to 1,320 pounds) to Group 4/5 (1,320 pounds and beyond). The Nomad series is driven by fuel-efficient hybrid-electric systems, with the larger variants featuring a traditional drivetrain.
- MATRIX technology, pioneered by Sikorsky Innovations and DARPA, is a versatile framework, which allows seamless integration with both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. MATRIX has already been demonstrated in a variety of functions, such as aerial firefighting, logistics resupply, and enhanced aerial mobility.
“Nomad represents groundbreaking advancements for Sikorsky and the upcoming generation of autonomous, long-endurance drones,” remarked Dan Shidler, director of Advanced Programs. “We are heeding input from the Pentagon, employing an agile approach and developing a suite of drones capable of taking off and landing almost anywhere and completing missions autonomously—under the oversight of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen.”
