The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled six new designs for uncrewed vertical-takeoff military aircraft, with plans for test flights as early as 2026. Known as the Advanced Aircraft Infrastructure-less Launch And Recovery (ANCILLARY) program, these new uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) carrying weapons are designed to operate from aircraft carriers with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities like a helicopter.
The aim of the ANCILLARY program is to develop X-planes that can operate in adverse weather conditions without the need for ground crew or infrastructure, allowing them to be deployed in a wide range of battlefield environments. These aircraft could potentially support the U.S. Navy in identifying vessels beyond their line of sight, with interest also shown from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command.
Among the defense and aerospace contractors bidding for the project are AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman, and Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. Each company has proposed innovative designs for achieving VTOL, such as Sikorsky’s battery-powered aircraft that takes off vertically like a helicopter and transitions to horizontal flight like a plane, or Karem Aircraft’s heavy-fuel-driven craft that uses a tilting rotor for vertical take-off and high-speed forward propulsion.
DARPA aims to increase its use of UAS by threefold in the coming years, with the ANCILLARY X-planes offering the advantage of small size and low weight, allowing for easy storage aboard Navy ships and direct launch from the deck without specialized equipment. The current phase of the program, phase 1b, involves testing and assessment of individual designs for safety and hover capabilities, with phase 2 focusing on detailed design proposals and construction plans for the most promising designs.
Looking ahead, DARPA envisions improvements to ANCILLARY systems through sensor innovation, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and breakthroughs in autonomous vehicle technology. The project is set to progress through testing phases until flight tests of the most promising designs begin in 2026. DARPA program manager Steve Komadina highlights the potential for increased payload weight, range, and endurance of small ship-launched UAS through novel configurations and controls, ultimately eliminating the need for special infrastructure.
Overall, the ANCILLARY program represents a significant step forward in the development of advanced uncrewed aircraft for military applications, with the potential to enhance operational capabilities across various branches of the U.S. military. With ongoing testing and innovation, these X-planes could pave the way for future advancements in aerial technology and defense systems.