Less than a year after demonstrating the flight efficiency and reliability of its rotor blown wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has introduced the Nomad family of aircraft. The new line features drones that can be scaled in size for various sea and land-based missions.
The Nomad series uses a twin proprotor design, which combines helicopter-like versatility with the speed and range of fixed-wing airplanes. These aircraft are capable of vertical takeoff, hovering, landing, and extended cruising on their wings. They operate using Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technology and primarily use hybrid-electric propulsion systems. Larger models will incorporate conventional drivetrains.
“We use the term ‘family’ to point to a key attribute of the design; its ability to be scaled in size from a small Group 3 UAS to the footprint equivalent of a Black Hawk helicopter,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “The resulting Nomad family of drones will be adaptable, go-anywhere, runway independent aircraft capable of land and sea-based missions across defense, national security, forestry and civilian organizations. Nomads are a force multiplier, complementing the missions of aircraft such as the Black Hawk to retain the strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific and across broader regions.”
In March 2025, Sikorsky completed an extended flight test with its prototype Nomad 50 aircraft featuring a 10.3-foot wingspan. The company is now building its Nomad 100 model—a Group 3 drone with an 18-foot wingspan—which is expected to have its first flight soon.
Nomad VTOL uncrewed aerial systems are designed for roles including reconnaissance, light attack operations, contested logistics support and more. The family can be adapted from Group 3 UAS (56 pounds to 1,320 pounds) up through Group 4/5 sizes (over 1,320 pounds). The propulsion system relies on fuel-efficient hybrid-electric drivetrains for smaller variants while larger ones use conventional powertrains.
MATRIX technology was developed by Sikorsky Innovations in partnership with DARPA as an open system platform that enables integration with both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft types. This technology has already been demonstrated in applications such as aerial firefighting, logistics resupply missions and advanced aerial mobility efforts.
“Nomad represents new breakthroughs for Sikorsky and the next generation of autonomous, long-endurance drones,” said Dan Shidler, director of Advanced Programs. “We are acting on feedback from the Pentagon, adopting a rapid approach and creating a family of drones that can take off and land virtually anywhere and execute the mission – all autonomously and in the hands of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen.”
More information about this program is available at https://lockheedmartin.com/Nomad.
Lockheed Martin describes itself as a global defense technology company focused on innovation across multiple domains.
