Thanatos drone takes flight to bolster US fighter fleet
Kratos Defence and Security has announced the first flight of the Thanatos drone. Company representatives did not specify the exact date, but it is understood that they plan to develop the drone over the next 6 to 12 months. In the future, the machine is intended to be a powerful support for American F-15 and F-16 fighters, making them even more formidable.
The stealth drone, developed by Kratos Defence and Security, was first unveiled in 2023, although information about it began emerging as early as 2019. Thanatos is a contemporary design with advanced combat and reconnaissance capabilities. The device is named after the Greek god of death, reflecting its potential as a cutting-edge tool in warfare.
Thanatos to support fighters
Thanatos is designed using stealth technology, making it harder to detect by radars and other detection systems. Its design eschews a traditional tail, reducing its radar and thermal signature. Additionally, the shape of the wings enhances aerodynamics, and the use of composite materials ensures the structure's durability and lightness. These features are intended to limit Thanatos’s visibility on the battlefield.
One of Thanatos’s key advantages is its modularity, allowing the drone to be quickly adapted for various missions. It can be utilised for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and even as support for manned fighters, including the F-15, F-16, F-35, or future sixth-generation fighters. Thanatos is part of the American Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, aimed at developing autonomous drones to support piloted units in complex operations.
Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’s unmanned systems division, has expressed the company's interest in the future development of CCA. Fendley believes that CCA-class drones significantly enhance the combat capabilities of fifth-generation fighters and improve the survivability of fourth-generation fighters. For example, partnered drones enable the use of electronic warfare capabilities to extend the range of fourth-generation fighters, such as the F-15 and F-16.
