DARPA Lift Challenge: AVIDrone's Katana achieves 3.84 payload-to-weight ratio, wins $1.25M

Published Aug 18, 04:41 PM UTC

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) concluded its Lift Challenge, aiming to develop a drone capable of lifting four times its own weight. While no participant achieved the exact goal, Canadian company AVIDrone came closest with its Katana heavy-lift drone, achieving a payload-to-weight ratio of 3.84 to 1. The 29.3-pound drone lifted 112.4 pounds across five nautical miles, winning $1.25 million. Second-place MTech Operations achieved 3.64 to 1 ($750,000), and third-place Xtreme Aerial Concepts achieved 3.45 to 1 ($500,000). DARPA also awarded subjective prizes for design, powertrain, and technology. Program manager Phillip Smith highlighted the challenge's role in advancing vertical lift technology for industries like agriculture, logistics, and construction, and fostering a community for future innovation.