DARPA is evaluating six new designs for uncrewed VTOL aircraft that can carry weapons payloads, with test flights expected to start in 2026. These lightweight, pilotless aircraft could support conventional military missions and are easier to launch and recover. The U.S. military may soon utilize uncrewed aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, with the first test flights potentially occurring as early as 2026.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is entering a new testing phase for experimental aircraft designs, assessing risks and analyzing efficiency. The Advanced Aircraft Infrastructure-less Launch And Recovery (ANCILLARY) program aims to develop new uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) from aircraft carriers.
Experimental aircraft, or “X-planes,” have a history of breaking new ground, such as the Bell X-1, the first crewed vehicle to break the sound barrier, and the X-15, which achieved unprecedented airspeeds and propulsion techniques. VTOL aircraft, requiring no runway, can be launched more easily and operate in adverse weather conditions without ground crew support, making them versatile for various battlefield environments.
DARPA envisions these aircraft supporting U.S. Navy ships by identifying vessels beyond the line of sight. The U.S. Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command have also expressed interest. Companies bidding for the project include AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman, and the Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky.
VTOL can be achieved in various ways. Sikorsky’s design, for example, uses a battery-powered aircraft that props itself on its tail for vertical takeoff like a helicopter, then tilts forward to fly like a plane. Karem Aircraft’s design uses a heavy-fuel-driven craft with a tilting rotor for vertical lift and high-speed forward flight.
DARPA aims to triple its use of UAS in the coming years. The small size and low weight of ANCILLARY X-planes allow the Navy to store more aboard ships and launch them directly from the deck without specialized equipment.
ANCILLARY is currently in phase 1b, with testing set to run from June 2024 to spring 2025. DARPA will assess the manufacturers’ designs for system safety and hover tests. In phase 2, participants will propose X-plane designs and test plans, with flight tests of the most promising designs beginning in early 2026.
Future improvements in ANCILLARY systems may come from sensor innovation, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), or more autonomous vehicle breakthroughs.
