Twitter/X

Avidrone completed the DARPA Lift Challenge course in 19 minutes 17 seconds using…

2026-08-06 · 14:00 UTC ·@Hunter_Weiss ·1 min read

Brief

Avidrone took first place in the DARPA Lift Challenge by finishing the course in 19 minutes 17 seconds with a 29.3 lb airframe carrying 112.4 lb (3.84:1). The competition requires sub-55 lb drones to lift at least 110 lb, complete loaded and empty laps within 30 minutes, and offers $6.5M total; the author stresses the 4x lift target is unprecedented.

Why it matters

Avidrone completed the DARPA Lift Challenge course in 19 minutes 17 seconds using a 29.3 lb drone carrying a 112.4 lb payload (3.84:1), and is now in 1st place.

Key details

  • DARPA Lift Challenge rules: aircraft must stay under 55 lb, lift a minimum 110 lb payload (4x target), fly 4 nautical miles loaded (12 laps), drop the payload, then fly 1 nautical mile empty (3 laps) and finish within 30 minutes; $6.5M in prize money is split among the top three teams if they clear the 4:1 ratio.
  • The author asserts most heavy-lift drones can barely lift their own weight and emphasizes that achieving the 4x payload-to-weight ratio DARPA demands has never been done.
Source evidence

Avidrone is now in 1st place

29.3 lb drone, 112.4 lb payload (3.84:1)

Course completed in 19 minutes 17 seconds

Video

Hunter Weiss (@Hunter_Weiss)

Anyone else following the DARPA Lift Challenge?

$6.5M in prize money to build a drone that can:

  • Stay under 55 lbs
  • Take off with a 110 lb minimum payload (4x its weight)
  • Fly 4 nautical miles loaded (12 laps)
  • Drop the payload
  • Fly 1 more nautical mile empty (3 laps)
  • Finish inside a 30-min window

Top 3 teams split the full prize as long as they clear the 4:1 ratio.

Most heavy-lift drones can barely lift their own weight. DARPA wants 4x. That's never been done.

Video

— https://nitter.net/Hunter_Weiss/status/2085032813741347067#m