Overview
- The companies revealed the dual‑use tiltrotor at the Farnborough Airshow on July 20, 2026 and said multiple full‑scale surrogate test flights have already been completed.
- Thunder is a Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft that uses a series hybrid‑electric powertrain, dual tiltrotors with variable rotor speed, and modular internal bays to carry weapons or cargo.
- Anduril says the main payload bay can be fitted with up to ten air‑to‑ground missiles, or 16 launched effects, or 76 70mm rockets, with a separate nose module for up to 12 counter‑UAS effectors.
- The platform will run Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy to manage formation flying, separation and mission tasking so crewed pilots issue intent rather than manually fly each drone.
- Anduril and Archer plan a first flight in 2027 and say rate production could begin around 2029–2030 if demand materializes, while Archer is expected to name commercial partners for the civilian variant soon.