Specter Jet-Powered Drone Aims At Low Cost, Multi-Mission, Single Use

AEVEX displayed its Specter jet-powered expendable drone for the first time at AUSA 2026 after announcing the platform in September. Planned ground- and air-launched variants use a modular architecture and interchangeable nose section for warheads, electronic-warfare equipment, cameras or other mission payloads. The aircraft has high-mounted trapezoidal wings, a V-tail and rear conformal engine intakes, with a turbine-powered design intended for subsonic, one-way missions in high-risk environments. AEVEX has not disclosed range, payload capacity, terminal-targeting methods or unit cost, and the exhibition presentation does not establish a production award or demonstrated output at the proposed scale.