Northrop, Sikorsky Among Six Selected for DARPA's Vertical Takeoff Drone Project

Pentagon: Defense vanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has taken a significant step forward in its quest to develop an experimental, lightweight drone capable of vertical takeoff and landing from ships. This initiative, known as vanced Aircraft Infrastructure-Less Launch and Recovery (ANCILLARY) program, has seen six companies selected to refine and develop ir innovative drone designs. selected firms—AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky—represent a blend of major defence contractors and smaller aeronautics companies.

DARPA's ANCILLARY program aims to create a drone that can be deployed and retrieved from Navy ships without need for large mechanical launchers or landing and recovery equipment. se drones are envisioned to carry out various missions, including cargo transport, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and tracking and targeting enemies beyond a ship’s line of sight. ability to operate from ship decks or rough surfaces in most wear conditions and perform like a winged aircraft while carrying significant paylos and covering long distances are key requirements for drones.  

Program Phases and Selection Process  

“ goal of ANCILLARY is to increase small vertical takeoff-and-landing uncrewed aerial system [or UAS] capabilities by a factor of three over current state-of--art flying today,” stated DARPA program manager Steve Komina.

In June 2023, DARPA invited nine companies to pitch ir initial concepts for ANCILLARY program. After a thorough evaluation, list was narrowed down to six firms. se companies will now enter a 10-month phase focused on reducing risks associated with ir designs and conducting hover tests of ir proposed aircraft elements. Upon successful completion of this phase, companies will submit proposals to vance to next stage, which includes fabrication and flight testing. Formal flight tests of overall design are expected to commence in early 2026.  

Company-Specific Approaches  

Northrop Grumman: Christopher Harris, program manager for Northrop's ANCILLARY effort, highlighted integration of autonomous capabilities, vertical takeoff and landing, and long-endurance aircraft design in ir proposal. Northrop’s drone will feature a dual-rotor system for takeoff and landing and an ditional rotor for forward flight. aircraft is designed to carry 60-pound paylos, fly 100 nautical miles, and endure 20-hour missions. Harris emphasized drone's capability to operate in verse sea conditions and highly contested environments.  

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky: Sikorsky's design, described as a “rotor blown wing,” takes off vertically like a helicopter and transitions to horizontal flight. Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations, noted that ir drone uses an articulated rotor system akin to tritional helicopters and incorporates Lockheed’s autonomous MATRIX technology. Currently, a battery-powered version is undergoing flight tests, with plans for a hybrid electric model capable of carrying a 60-pound ISR paylo.  

Method Aeronautics: In collaboration with Sierra Neva Corp. and Bechamo, Method Aeronautics is developing a drone with a unique approach to vertical takeoff and landing. design aims to enhance efficiency and robustness of Group 3 UAS, which weighs under 1,320 pounds and can reach speeds of up to 250 knots. Method Aeronautics views this program as pivotal in expanding use of VTOL UAS by U.S. forces globally.  

ANCILLARY program holds promise not only for Navy and Marine Corps but also for Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and U.S. Special Operations Command. drones developed under this initiative are expected to revolutionize ship-based operations, providing versatile and resilient platforms for a variety of missions.