Join Us for the Final Four Days of Competition
DARPA Program Manager Phillip "Donna" Smith provides an overview about the DARPA Lift Challenge, which aims to shatter the heavy lift bottleneck by seeking novel drone designs that can carry payloads more than four times their weight. | 5:07
A Competition for Novel Drone Designs – Open to the Public
The DARPA Lift Challenge is a national competition to reinvent vertical and heavy-lift aviation. The final four days of competition are open to the public from Aug. 6-9, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET. Admission is free.
DARPA invites the community to watch competitors demonstrate novel drone designs that are both lightweight and powerful. After months of development, teams representing established companies, startups, universities, and garage-innovators will assemble for a “chase the leader” competition. Drones weighing no more than 55 pounds will attempt to carry four times their weight (220 pounds) or more over a demanding 5-nautical-mile course. Those with the highest payload-to-weight ratios and novel designs will win $6.5 million in prizes.
But it’s not just a prize competition – it's 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.
BYOB - As in Binoculars!
This is a large venue, so we encourage you to bring binoculars. We'll also display the drone runs on Jumbotrons at the venue and via livestream on our YouTube channel throughout the event.
Co-located with Family Friendly Flite Fest*
Adding to the excitement, the popular radio-control (RC) aviation event, Flite Fest, will be co-located with the competition. Flite Fest is a family-friendly festival that brings together RC enthusiasts for days of flying, building, and fun, featuring do-it-yourself drone projects, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, and RC aerial combats.
Separately, Flite Fest will offer RV parking and campsites on the museum grounds, available for reservation on a first-come, first-served basis through Flite Fest for a fee.
*Disclaimer: This section contains information about services provided by Flite Fest, a non-federal entity. References to these services are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Department of War or the United States Government.
Join Us!
This is a free, outdoor event held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. To help with planning, we ask spectators to register in advance.
To support a safe, efficient, and secure event environment, all attendees entering the event venue will be subject to security screening procedures, including magnetometer screening and bag inspections conducted by security personnel.
What Should I Bring?
- Binoculars
- Chairs
- Sunblock
Permitted Bags
- Medium size purses or handbags not exceeding 14” X 12” X 6”
- Laptop bags or briefcases required for approved business purposes
- Medically necessary bags (subject to inspection)
- Diaper bags accompanying infants or small children (subject to inspection)
Prohibited Bags
- Backpacks
- Duffel bags
- Oversized purses or totes
- Luggage or rolling bags
- Camera equipment bags larger than permitted handbags (unless pre-approved)
- Any bag exceeding approved size limitations
Weapons Prohibition
Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited, including:
- Firearms
- Knives
- Chemical agents
- Impact weapons (tasers, etc.)
- Explosives or incendiary devices
Exceptions apply only to authorized law enforcement or military personnel operating in an official capacity.
Tips for Entry
To help expedite entry:
- If possible, secure all bags within a locked vehicle
- Please remove metal objects from your pockets before screening
- Arrive early to allow adequate time for screening procedures
Witness aviation history
in the making!
Aug. 6-9, 2026
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Dayton, Ohio
Follow #DARPALiftChallenge
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