Date of Submission
Spring 5-7-2026
Project Type
Capstone
Minor
Aerospace Engineering
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Name
Aerospace Engineering
Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Abstract
As military missions become more complicated, warfighters need more capable drones to use across diverse scenarios. The same also applies to civilian applications, like infrastructure inspection, package delivery, and disaster response. Current multirotor drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), provide simplicity, affordability, and ease of operation; however, their primary limitation is their low payload-to-weight ratio, which typically falls at 1:1 or less. The DARPA Lift Challenge aims to shatter the heavy lift bottleneck, seeking novel drone designs that can carry payloads more than four times their weight, which would revolutionize the way we use drones across all sectors. By offering $6.5 million in prize money, the Challenge seeks to incentivize university researchers, independent innovators and industry to set a new standard in vertical lift performance. DARPA experts theorize the 4:1 payload-toweight ratio is plausible based on recent advances in aerodynamic design, materials science, and propulsion systems. This ratio could unlock a whole new range of possibilities for both military and civilian applications.
Included in
Aeronautical Vehicles Commons, Propulsion and Power Commons, Structures and Materials Commons