Pentagon Seeks Innovations in Small Drones with $2.5 Million Prize

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched a new competition, Lift, aimed at revolutionizing small drone operations. The contest seeks to design unmanned systems that can carry heavy payloads, with a goal of achieving a four-to-one payload-to-weight ratio. Eligible drones must weigh less than 55 pounds and complete a series of tasks within a set timeframe. The prize includes $2.5 million for the winner, $1.5 million for second place, and $1 million for third. DARPA aims to promote American industry growth and innovation in this field by removing barriers to entry and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.