AEVEX Corp. has revealed a new autonomous aircraft designed to bring jet propulsion and modular payloads to one-way attack missions.

The platform, called Specter, is under development with advanced manufacturing specialist Divergent Technologies. AEVEX says the design will support both ground and air launches.

Specter uses a turbojet propulsion system built around a modular airframe. Its architecture allows engineers to change mission equipment without redesigning the entire aircraft.

A swappable nose section gives Specter a central point for payload integration. Operators could configure the aircraft for different mission requirements as the platform matures.

Possible payloads include kinetic effects and electronic warfare equipment. The aircraft can also carry systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

AEVEX has designed the architecture to accept new technologies through software and hardware changes. That approach could reduce the engineering work needed when payload requirements change.

The company also plans to support different launch configurations. Ground-launched and air-launched versions will use the same underlying platform architecture.

That flexibility could prove useful as autonomous aircraft take on a wider range of battlefield roles. It also gives AEVEX room to modify Specter as propulsion, sensors and payload technology advance.

AEVEX Chief Technology Officer Manan Patel said the program reflects experience gained from thousands of autonomous systems deployed operationally. “Specter reflects our lessons learned on capability from delivering thousands of autonomous systems in theater,” Patel said. He added that AEVEX is developing an architecture that can adapt to changing mission requirements.

The design also separates the aircraft’s core structure from its mission equipment.