DARPA Advances VTOL Uncrewed Aerial System Development with ANCILLARY Program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has unveiled the latest developments in its AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) program, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of small, ship-launched vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
DARPA has moved forward with the second phase of the program by selecting six companies to refine their innovative design concepts for a lightweight, high-payload, long-endurance VTOL X-plane. The firms chosen for this pivotal role include AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Karem Aircraft, Method Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman, and Sikorsky.
Steve Komadina, DARPA program manager for ANCILLARY, emphasized the program’s objectives, stating, “The goal of ANCILLARY is to increase small VTOL UAS capabilities by a factor of three over the current state-of-the-art flying today.” This enhancement focuses on boosting payload capacity and extending the range and endurance of UAS, crucial for their effectiveness in naval operations.
The selected companies are tasked with developing innovative solutions that include novel configurations, propulsion systems, and controls, aiming to eliminate the need for specialized launch and recovery infrastructure on ships. This would mark a significant advancement from the traditional, bulkier systems currently employed.
During the ongoing Phase Ib, these firms will engage in risk reduction through design refinements, analyses, and testing. Their goal is to prepare for the construction of an X-plane demonstrator. This demonstrator is expected to validate crucial technologies necessary for an operational UAS that can be deployed and retrieved from Navy ships without reliance on extensive mechanical systems.
The envisioned UAS will be capable of executing vertical take-offs and landings akin to helicopters, while also performing missions with the efficiency of winged aircraft, even under adverse weather conditions. These missions include expansive surveillance and reconnaissance, providing critical beyond-line-of-sight capabilities.
Komadina further highlighted the strategic value of the ANCILLARY program, noting, “A network of these small UAS can be launched from a ship to provide beyond-line-of-sight F2T2 (find, fix, track, target) of surface vessels of interest for the ship commander.”
While primarily designed to support Navy and Marine missions, the ANCILLARY program has garnered significant interest across other military branches, including the Army, Air Force, Special Operations Command, and Coast Guard. These services recognize the potential benefits of the technology for a broad range of applications, from logistics to strike operations and special missions.
Looking ahead, DARPA plans to conduct X-plane flight tests starting in early 2026, following a competitive proposal process for Phase II, which will involve detailed design, fabrication, and flight testing. This next phase will build on the foundational work of Phase Ib, focusing on refining designs through more sophisticated analyses and conducting hover tests of components and configurations.
As these developments unfold, DARPA expects the operational capabilities of the ANCILLARY project to be further enhanced by additional technological advancements in areas such as sensors, electronic warfare, autonomy, and artificial intelligence. These advancements promise to significantly bolster the effectiveness and versatility of future UAS deployments across the Department of Defense.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, interestingengineering.com