DARPA Lift Challenge recognizes heavy-payload drone teams

DARPA's Lift Challenge awarded top payload-to-weight performance prizes after tests in Ohio from Aug. 2 to 9. Nearly 100 teams from more than 30 U.S. states and 25 countries entered the competition, which called for VTOL aircraft under 55 pounds to carry a 110-pound payload over a specified course. AVIDrone placed first with a 3.84:1 payload-to-weight ratio, followed by MTech Operations at 3.64:1 and Xtreme Aerial Concepts at 3.45:1. No top team reached the competition's 4:1 target, while DefendTex reported a 9.63:1 ratio but did not complete a scored run.