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 last week, 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. AVIDrone won $1.25 million in prize money. Second-place winner MTech Operations (Massachusetts) achieved 3.64 to 1 and received $750,000, while third-place Xtreme Aerial Concepts (California) achieved 3.45 to 1 and received $500,000. DARPA also awarded subjective prizes for Most Revolutionary Aerodynamic Design (University of Maryland), Most Revolutionary Powertrain Design (Portal Aircraft Company, Texas), and Most Promising Technology (DefendTex, Utah), the latter achieving a 9.63 to 1 ratio but not completing a scored run. Program manager Phillip 'Donna' Smith highlighted the challenge's role in advancing vertical lift technology for agriculture, logistics, and construction, and fostering a community for future innovation.