Farnborough 2026: Anduril Industries unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft

Anduril Industries unveiled Thunder, its unmanned VTOL Group 5 aircraft, in July 2026. (Anduril Industries)

Anduril Industries unveiled Thunder, its Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft, at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 on 20 July in Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Anduril Industries said in a company statement that Thunder is the defence-specific variant of a dual-use aircraft developed in partnership with San Jose, California-based Archer Aviation.

The company said the aircraft is purpose-built for long-range operations, with a hybrid-electric powertrain and tiltrotor configuration that enables it to fly over long distances and perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) manoeuvres while being runway-independent.

In addition to its powertrain, Thunder uses its optimum-speed tiltrotors (OSTR) to vary rotor RPM and keep the aircraft energy-efficient, according to the company.

Rich Scott, general manager of Anduril UK, told reporters in a 14 July press briefing that Thunder takes off and lands in a similar fashion to the manned Bell MV-75 Cheyenne.

The aircraft has the range making it capable of self-deployment on a global scale, but can also be packed in a standard shipping container, according to Anduril.

Its mission sets can include “a missile carrier, air-launched effects mothership, maritime patrol aircraft, or contested logistics platform”, the company said.

Anduril said Thunder has modular internal main and nose payload module bays capable of hosting “precision munitions, air-launched effects, rockets, electronic warfare payloads, counter-UAS force protection, and cargo, and is provisioned for rapid integration of future mission systems”.

Powered by Anduril's Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, Thunder can “maneuver with the formation, share data in real time, coordinate effects, and act on pilot intent” autonomously and at machine speed, according to Anduril.