Thunder
About
About Thunder
Thunder uses a series-hybrid electric tiltrotor architecture to combine vertical take-off and landing with efficient forward flight. The uncrewed aircraft carries modular mission equipment for reconnaissance, sensing and attack roles and is designed to deploy without runways or large aviation-support infrastructure. Anduril’s autonomy software will manage mission execution and coordination with other aircraft.
The platform is being developed for operations alongside crewed attack and assault aviation, extending sensing, weapons reach and coverage while reducing exposure of onboard crews. Anduril leads the defence-system, autonomy and mission integration work, with Archer Aviation contributing aircraft and electric-propulsion expertise. Thunder remains in development, with first flight planned for 2027.
Capabilities
Source-backed capabilities
- Capability areas: VTOL unmanned aircraft, Autonomous navigation
- Workflows: Combat Aircraft UAV
- Operating environments: Defence operational environment
- Target markets: Defence
- Control modes: Collaborative Mission Autonomy
- Deployment model: Expeditionary Runway Independent
- ISR and tactical support
Demonstrated - 2026-07-20 - The Group 5 aircraft is designed for armed reconnaissance, modular strike payloads and autonomous teaming with crewed attack and assault aircraft.
Source
Timeline
- Anduril and Archer unveil Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft
2026-07-20 - Product Launch - Thunder combines a series hybrid-electric powertrain with dual optimum-speed tiltrotors for runway-independent vertical lift and wingborne cruise. The Group 5 aircraft is designed for armed reconnaissance, modular strike payloads and autonomous teaming with crewed attack and assault aircraft. The team has completed multiple flights with full-scale surrogate aircraft; Thunder itself is planned to make its first flight in 2027.
Source
Context
Related Systems
- U145
Airbus - UAV