DARPA unveils 6 new designs for uncrewed vertical-takeoff military aircraft, eyes 2026 test flights

[Hamartia Antidote]

DARPA unveils 6 new designs for uncrewed vertical-takeoff military aircraft, eyes 2026 test flights

Lightweight fighter aircraft with no pilots could support conventional military missions while being easier to launch and recover.

www.space.com

Lightweight fighter aircraft with no pilots could support conventional military missions while being easier to launch and recover.'

Ancillary design concept renderings from all six performers, clockwise from lower left: Sikorsky, Karem Aircraft, Griffon Aerospace, Method Aeronautics, AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman.(Image credit: DARPA)
The U.S. military could soon have new uncrewed aircraft that carry weapons and take off and land vertically. The vehicles could undergo test flights as early as 2026.


The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced it is moving into a new testing phase for proposed experimental aircraft in which designs will be assessed for risk and analyzed for efficiency.


The Advanced Aircraft Infrastructure-less Launch And Recovery (ANCILLARY) program will field designs for new, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) carrying weapons. Specifically, the project aims to deliver X-planes capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) like a helicopter that can operate from aircraft carriers.


"X-plane" is a classifier used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for experimental aircraft. Past X-planes include the Bell X-1 — the first crewed vehicle to break the sound barrier in conventional flight — and the X-15, which broke records in aerospace such as previously unachievable airspeeds and the successful use of novel propulsion techniques.

 

[Lulldapull]

DARPA unveils 6 new designs for uncrewed vertical-takeoff military aircraft, eyes 2026 test flights

Lightweight fighter aircraft with no pilots could support conventional military missions while being easier to launch and recover.

www.space.com

Lightweight fighter aircraft with no pilots could support conventional military missions while being easier to launch and recover.'

Ancillary design concept renderings from all six performers, clockwise from lower left: Sikorsky, Karem Aircraft, Griffon Aerospace, Method Aeronautics, AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman.(Image credit: DARPA)
The U.S. military could soon have new uncrewed aircraft that carry weapons and take off and land vertically. The vehicles could undergo test flights as early as 2026.


The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced it is moving into a new testing phase for proposed experimental aircraft in which designs will be assessed for risk and analyzed for efficiency.


The Advanced Aircraft Infrastructure-less Launch And Recovery (ANCILLARY) program will field designs for new, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) carrying weapons. Specifically, the project aims to deliver X-planes capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) like a helicopter that can operate from aircraft carriers.


"X-plane" is a classifier used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for experimental aircraft. Past X-planes include the Bell X-1 — the first crewed vehicle to break the sound barrier in conventional flight — and the X-15, which broke records in aerospace such as previously unachievable airspeeds and the successful use of novel propulsion techniques.

Saw a vid yesterday on the IDF testing a new totally uncrewed AI tank. Soon they'd trial it in Gaza or northern Israel. When I tell people that within the decade or so most western military's will be totally transformed by AI, most here get uncomfortable.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Saw a vid yesterday on the IDF testing a new totally uncrewed AI tank. Soon they'd trial it in Gaza or northern Israel. When I tell people that within the decade or so most western military's will be totally transformed by AI, most here get uncomfortable.

It's inevitable. I think Vietnam was the tipping point where high casualties were simply not tolerated anymore by the public. So the military moved more to high-tech "videogame" wars which they found was far more acceptable to the public. If anything it turned the public from being aghast to being fascinated.

Ukraine however is seen as two videogame newbies stumbling trying to figure out how to use the controllers nevermind the game.

 

[Lulldapull]

It's inevitable. I think Vietnam was the tipping point where high casualties were simply not tolerated anymore by the public. So the military moved more to high-tech "videogame" wars which they found was far more acceptable to the public. If anything it turned the public from being aghast to being fascinated.

Ukraine however is seen as two videogame newbies stumbling trying to figure out how to use the controllers nevermind the game.

Check dis out.......A whole new UCV concept. If it can go out on its own all fueld up and armed, runnin on an andriod, totally autonomous.....imagine what that's goin do to all them countries military's watchin it go to work. It'll be a life changing moment.