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Unmanned Systems

MacGyver, Squishy Tech, YGGY Aviation Among Invitees For DARPA Lift Challenge

By Cal Biesecker

Tuesday, June 9th, 2026

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MacGyver, Squishy Tech, YGGY Aviation Among Invitees For DARPA Lift Challenge

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on Monday announced invitations to 72 teams to demonstrate innovative drone designs capable of carrying at least four times their weight. The list of invitees for the Lift Challenge this August includes inventors, startups, aerospace companies and universities. Driftless Robotics, EasyBreezy Heavy Lift, Kansas City Space Pirates, MacGyver, Squishy Tech, Stoner Aero and YGGY Aviation will be competing with Avalon Aero, Avidrone Inc., two Burl Aerospace teams, teams from Penn State Univ., the…

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U.S. Fighter Fleet Will Expand By 2040 But More Stealth Aircraft Will Mean Less Availability, CBO Says

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House Narrowly Votes To Pass $1.15 Trillion FY ‘27 NDAA, Blueprint For Reconciliation 3.0

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Congress

Senate Appropriators Press On Supplemental’s Requests Beyond Iran Scope, Hegseth Urges Full Funding

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