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The American company Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has successfully conducted the first test flight of the Thanatos stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) prototype capable of autonomous strikes and reconnaissance missions.
The Thanatos project, whose existence was officially announced a year ago, has been in development since at least 2019. The UCAV is designed to perform high-risk missions normally performed by manned aircraft. The main goal of development is to reduce the risk to people during hostilities through the use of autonomous systems. Stealth characteristics of the drone, in particular low radar and infrared visibility, allow it to operate in conditions of increased threat.
The tailless diamond wing, recessed exhaust system and adaptive intakes give the Thanatos the ability to evade detection.
The UCAV is expected to be equipped with artificial intelligence for autonomous or semi-autonomous control, in line with current trends in unmanned aviation.
Thanatos is capable of performing a wide range of tasks: from electronic warfare to strike operations. In addition, Kratos plans to integrate its unmanned systems into tactical fighter operations, creating flexible solutions for military missions. The US Air Force is said to be the likely client of the project, although there is currently no official confirmation.
Kratos, known for its innovations in the field of unmanned systems, actively supports programs of the US Department of Defense. The development of Thanatos demonstrates the company's commitment to improving combat platforms that can operate on land, in the air and at sea, providing operational advantages.
Thanatos tests confirm the prospects of using invisible combat drones to solve complex tasks of modern conflicts, which brings the defense industry to a new level of technological excellence.
