US Pentagon pursues industry input to address drones’ payload and navigation limitations
UAVs deployed in the US Marine Corps Attack Drone Competition in December 2025. (Photo: US Marine Corps)
The US Department of Defence along with its services and agencies have been increasing efforts to enhance the uncrewed aerial vehicle capabilities to succeed in future warfare.
The US military is keen to have industry support to improve the capabilities of its drones and better prepare its uncrewed fleet to succeed on tomorrow’s battlefield. This approach involves overcoming the payload and navigation limitations of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“As military missions become more complicated, warfighters need more capable drones to use across diverse scenarios,” the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) stated.
Last week, DARPA opened its Lift Challenge, a competition to address payload issues in multirotor UAVs. According to the agency, this US$6.5 million industrial competition is intended “to discover groundbreaking designs that solve one of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort]()
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort
The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
-
![UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO]()
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO
A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
-
![February Drone Digest: US manufacturers face the Gauntlet and find success abroad]()
February Drone Digest: US manufacturers face the Gauntlet and find success abroad
The US launched the Gauntlet test in February as part of its accelerated attack drone procurement effort while also exploring various naval capabilities that could lead to procurements down the line. Shield AI’s V-Bat, meanwhile, has been stirring up global interest.
-
![Leonardo UK “optimistic” on further Proteus funding, confirms international interest]()
Leonardo UK “optimistic” on further Proteus funding, confirms international interest
The Proteus demonstrator is being pitched as a key platform showcasing the UK’s capabilities to build autonomous systems, with Leonardo in ongoing discussions about the future of the programme with the Royal Navy and UK Ministry of Defence.
