Second Competition
Coming Summer 2028
Building on the success of the first competition, the DARPA Lift Challenge will return in summer 2028 to keep pushing the extreme limits of vertical lift aviation.
Teams competing in the first DARPA Lift Challenge (DLC-1) showed us that the potential for massive breakthroughs in this field is far greater than we initially anticipated. The 4:1 payload-to-weight ratio is possible and likely just the beginning.
What to expect in 2028
- Aircraft will continue to be 55 lbs. or less
- Minimum payload is 220 lbs., not 110 lbs
- A new course design will double in length to 10 nautical miles (8 loaded, 2 unloaded)
- Extending the preparation timeline to 2 years to allow for more development and testing
- Focus on collaboration amongst this community
- Participation in DLC-1 is not a prerequisite for DLC-2
So, what is the ratio? We hope you’ll continue this journey with us and look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.
What’s the Challenge?
The DARPA Lift Challenge aims to revolutionize heavy vertical lift aviation by seeking novel drone designs capable of carrying payloads more than four times their weight. This would revolutionize how we use drones across all sectors.
As military missions become more complicated, warfighters need more capable drones to use across diverse scenarios. The same applies to infrastructure inspection, package delivery, disaster response, and other civilian applications.
Current multirotor drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are simple, affordable, and easy to operate. But their payload-to-weight ratio is low, typically 1:1 or less.
While millions of dollars are at stake, the Lift Challenge is not just a prize competition – it is a catalyst for long-term growth and innovation across the American drone industry. Participants will play a critical role in advancing vertical lift technologies that will have far-reaching benefits for military missions and civilian needs.
Looking back at the 2026 Lift Challenge
DARPA challenges accelerate technological breakthroughs by focusing on the ingenuity of teams of innovators and giving wild ideas a place to thrive.
In August 2026, DLC competitors created and flew a variety of novel aircraft that were both lightweight and powerful while flying a 5-nautical-mile circuit course in a head-to-head, live performance trial at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Competitors created aircraft that were both lightweight and powerful – lifting at least 4x its weight. | 5:45
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