DARPA invites first wave of Lift Challenge competitors

DARPA invited the first tranche of teams to compete in the Lift Challenge, a national competition to revolutionize heavy vertical-lift aviation.

These invited teams submitted drone designs that either demonstrate that they are lightweight and powerful enough to lift four times their own weight or show an innovation potential beyond current thinking. If competitors can demonstrate 4:1 payload-to-weight ratios, the result could ripple across commercial and military missions, which have been constrained by today's roughly 1:1 or lower payload-to-weight ratios.

"This competition is a challenge of pure aviation innovation," said Lift Challenge Program Manager Phillip "Donna" Smith.

"These teams' concepts feature some bold approaches, including novel propulsion and power systems, control mechanisms, configurations, and aerodynamics. We are excited to see them take flight."

Over the course of the application period, the Lift Challenge received more than 480 applications. Since then, over 200 teams successfully completed the critical requirements and milestones, including a final concept paper, video evidence of progress, and compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Regulations (Part 107).

DARPA will share the next tranche of competitors in the coming weeks, with the potential to invite up to 150 teams.

Invited teams

Teams include technology startups, aerospace firms, universities, and independent inventors from across the United States.

A national competition for novel drone designs

The Lift Challenge will take place at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, from Aug. 2-9, 2026.

Competitors will fly their drones in a 5-nautical-mile circuit course in a head-to-head, live performance trial. Those with the highest payload-to-weight ratios and novel designs will win $6.5 million in prizes.

Finals open to the public

The final four days of competition (Aug. 6-9) are free and open to the public from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET daily. Attendance is limited, so spectators are encouraged to register in advance.

The Lift Challenge coincides with Flite Fest¹, a popular radio-control (RC) aviation event that offers camping sites and RV parking.

A call to industry

DARPA invites companies interested in seeing drone innovation first-hand to attend or watch the livestream on the Lift Challenge YouTube page, which will broadcast the competition from start to finish (Aug. 2-9). These viewing opportunities will provide a window into the future of drone development, which could make vertical lift more accessible and more affordable for a variety of businesses.

Learn more

To learn more about the Lift Challenge, including prizes, course details, and more, visit darpa.mil/lift.

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Media with inquiries about the DARPA Lift Challenge should .

[1] Disclaimer: This section contains information about services provided by Flite Fest, a non-federal entity. References to these services are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Department of War or the United States Government.