Anduril Industries and Archer Aviation unveiled the 'Thunder,' an autonomous attack aircraft designed to fly alongside Apache helicopters. The aircraft can carry up to 10 Hellfire missiles, intercept drones, and operate in high-risk airspace, according to the companies.
Anduril Industries and Archer Aviation today unveiled the 'Thunder,' an autonomous attack aircraft designed to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters. According to the companies, the aircraft can carry up to 10 Hellfire missiles, intercept drones, and enter airspace deemed too dangerous for human pilots. The Thunder is intended to complement crewed aircraft in contested environments, reflecting the accelerating shift toward autonomous combat systems.
The unveiling comes amid a string of milestones for Anduril. The company earlier this year successfully test-fired air-to-air missiles from an unmanned autonomous aircraft, as The Zioneer reported on July 17. Anduril has also been selected for the production phase of the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and is planning a full manufacturing plant in Israel, according to previous reports in The Zioneer.
For the Israel Defense Forces, which already operates advanced Apache helicopters and has invested heavily in drone and counter-drone systems, the Thunder represents a potential addition to the battlefield. The aircraft's ability to carry Hellfire missiles — a standard weapon on Israeli Apaches — and its interoperability with crewed platforms could make it relevant for future operations. No timeline for production or deployment was announced.
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