- Presently, cargo-carrying helicopters and multirotor drones have at best a 1:1 payload-to-body-weight ratio.
- The competition invited teams from around the world to develop VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drones weighing less than 55 lb (25 kg) while being capable of lifting at least one 110-lb (50-kg) standard barbell plate.
- The 1st, 2nd and 3rd-place Payload-to-Weight Performance Awards were slated at US$2.5 million, 1.5 million and $1 million respectively, although teams would only receive half that amount if their drone didn’t achieve the 4:1 payload-to-weight ratio.
DARPA honors drone teams for light copters that carry heavy loads
