Last updated: Dec. 24, 2025
Summary of changes
(Since October 28)
The following draft rules have been updated to streamline Challenge requirements.
- The eligibility requirements have been updated to reflect a more inclusive breakdown. Please note the addition of 1.1.1.1, specifically.
- Since the rules have been simplified, further details can be found in the About section on the Challenge website, as well as within the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- DARPA is also working with the FAA to submit a 44807 that will be passed on to teams that have applied for the Challenge in order for them to fly above 55 pounds prior to competition.
1.0 General Rules
1.1 Eligibility: The competition is open to all teams who have applied for the DARPA Lift Challenge and meet the eligibility requirements.
1.1.1 Application and participation is open to individuals who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents (Green Card holders), representing only U.S. entities (e.g., companies, academic institutions), and government employees (civilian and military).
1.1.1.1 Non-U.S. individuals and organizations may participate as team members but must have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as the applicant and team representative.
1.1.2 Application and participation is open to U.S. government entities (i.e. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), government agencies/military institutions).
1.1.2.1 Teams from U.S. government entities may be eligible to participate provided that no government funds were previously used in the development of their design.
1.1.3 The following are eligible to participate but ineligible to receive prize money:
1.1.3.1 Individuals and non-U.S. government entities receiving funding or collaborating with DARPA on activities related to the Challenge.
1.1.4 The following are ineligible applicants and participants:
1.1.4.1 DARPA government employees and support contractors, including their spouses, dependents, and members of their household.
1.1.4.2 Citizens of countries on the Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations restricted list
1.1.5 To be eligible to win a monetary prize, a team representing an entity (e.g., company or academic institution) must be incorporated and maintain a primary place of business (e.g., located) in the United States. A team not representing an entity, must include a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The winner will be required to provide a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or a Social Security number (SSN) to receive the monetary prize. Information on how to obtain a TIN is available on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service website.
1.1.6 Team applicant definition: A team applicant is defined as one or more individuals, identified by a Social Security number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
1.1.6.1 One aircraft design per team: Each team can submit only one aircraft design for evaluation. Teams may bring spare parts or identical copies of their aircraft model to the competition.
1.1.6.2 Multiple designs require separate teams: To submit multiple, distinct aircraft designs, you must apply as a separate team for each design.
1.1.6.3 No duplication to gain advantage: Teams or groups of teams connected through common members, funding sources, or organizational affiliation may not submit applications for multiple teams with the same design concept to gain additional flight windows or other competitive advantages. DARPA reserves the right to disqualify teams found to be in violation of this rule.
1.2 Compliance: All applicants must comply with these rules, as well as all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and safety standards.
1.3 Safety: Safety is paramount. Any unsafe behavior or violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification.
1.4 Interpretation: DARPA reserves the right to interpret these rules and make decisions on any matters not specifically covered herein. All DARPA decisions are final.
1.5 Amendments: DARPA reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. Any amendments will be communicated, in writing, to all applicants.
1.6 Good Faith: All applicants are expected to compete in good faith and to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.
1.7 Disqualification: DARPA reserves the right to immediately disqualify applicants from the Challenge for violating the rules and/or failing to compete in good faith.
2.0 Team Requirements
2.1 Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC): Each team must designate an RPIC who holds a valid FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate with an experimental airworthiness waiver or exemption. These certifications must be provided to DARPA in order to be considered for invitation to compete, as well as verified with the lane coordinator prior to flight.
2.2 RPIC Assistant: Each team is allowed to designate an assistant to accompany the RPIC within the competition area.
3.0 Aircraft Requirements
3.1 Weight Limit: The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), including all components and fuel (excluding the payload), must weigh less than 55 pounds at the time of weigh-in.
3.2 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL): The UAS must take off and land vertically. No rolling or sliding starts.
3.3 Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): All flights must be conducted within visual line of sight of the remote pilot in command (RPIC).
3.4 Remote Identification (RID): The UAS must comply with all FAA Remote Identification (RID) requirements.
3.5 FAA compliance: All UAS operations must comply with applicable FAA regulations, including a commercial Part 107 (“Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems”) certification for operations <55 pounds For operations above 55 pounds, we are currently working with the FAA to have DARPA hold the 44807 or a “Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” which will be distributed to teams that have applied to compete.
3.6 Construction: The UAS must be of sound design and construction, capable of safely carrying the specified payload.
3.7 Heavier than air: The UAS must be a heavier-than-air aircraft. The use of any lighter-than-air gases to provide buoyant lift is strictly prohibited. Teams may use chemically inert gases for subsystem actuation, safety inerting, and component rigidity, provided that there is no buoyant advantage and the gas is contained in components operating at pressures indicative of mechanical function.
3.8 Depleted power: You can jettison non-structural parts of the aircraft (i.e., expended energy storage), but they must have a slow decent and have hi-resolution marking for easy retrieval.
4.0 Payload Requirements
4.1 Payload composition: The payload will consist exclusively of commercially available Barbell Standard brand cast iron Olympic barbell gym plates. Acceptable plate weights are: 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 25 pounds, 35 pounds, and 45 pounds Plates will be circular and of standard dimensions for their weight. All plates for the Challenge will be provided by DARPA to ensure uniformity across the competition.
4.2 Payload weight: 110 pounds is the minimum payload weight to receive a qualifying score. Teams may attempt flights with any payload weight they choose, up to the maximum capacity of their UAS. The payload weight must be declared prior to weigh-in.
4.3 Plate combination: The payload must be assembled using the largest plate combinations available. For example, a 30-pound payload must consist of one 25 lb. plate and one 5 lb. plate (not six 5-pound plates).
4.4 Payload location: All plates comprising the payload must be co-located at a single point on the UAS. Distributed payloads or using the payload as structural reinforcements are not permitted.
4.5 Attachment method: Teams are free to use any method to attach the payload to the UAS (e.g., sling load, direct attachment). However, the attachment method must be secure and not pose a safety hazard. The attachment method will also be weighed in and will be considered part of the aircraft, not payload weight. The attachment method must remain attached or be reattached to the aircraft during the last nautical mile of the flight path.
4.6 No modifications: The gym plates themselves cannot be modified in any way (e.g., drilling holes, adding attachment points, etc.).
5.0 Scoring
5.1 Primary metric: The primary metric is the maximum payload weight divided by the aircraft weight successfully carried over the flight course.
5.2 Tiebreaker: In the event of a tie, the team with the highest payload weight will be declared the winner. If a tie persists, the team with the fastest time will be declared the winner.
5.3 Flight windows: Each team will be assigned two 90-minute flight windows during the evaluation period.
5.4 Flight attempts: Teams may complete as many successful attempts during their flight window as possible. The highest score of the flight window will be submitted for review at the end of each flight window. The highest overall score for a team will be maintained throughout the competition.
5.5 Scheduling changes: The flight schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as teams dropping out of the competition or UAS crashes during testing. DARPA will make every effort to accommodate teams and provide reasonable notice of any scheduling changes.
5.6 Missed flight window: If a team is unable to fly during their scheduled flight window, they may forfeit their attempts. DARPA may, at its discretion, offer an alternate flight window, but this is not guaranteed. Team check-in will be required within 15 minutes of event window start time.
5.7 Rescheduling: Teams may contact DARPA to reschedule their window if they have a valid reason. DARPA will attempt to accommodate the request.
6.0 Safety Requirement
6.1 Emergency procedures: Teams must have established emergency procedures in place in the event of a UAS malfunction or another unforeseen event.
6.2 Kill switch: Teams must have a readily accessible "kill switch" that can immediately shut down the UAS in the event of an emergency.
6.3 Insurance: Teams must maintain adequate insurance coverage to protect against any potential liabilities. Teams must also provide proof of adequate insurance coverage to the DARPA representative prior to flight.
6.4 Aircraft certification: Teams must provide proof of FAA aircraft certification (e.g., Part 21, Experimental Airworthiness Certificate) to the DARPA representative prior to flight.
7.0 Protest Procedure
7.1 Filing a protest: Any team may file a protest if they believe that another team has not followed these procedures.
7.2 Protest deadline: Protests must be filed within 24 hours of the alleged violation.
7.3 Protest resolution: DARPA will investigate all protests and make a final written determination.
