Aircraft
Darpa Seeks Proposals for VTOL Demonstrator
Lockheed Martin’s stealthy VTOL Advanced Reconnaissance Insertion Organic Unmanned System (Various) concept would contain lift fans in its wings. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin’s stealthy VTOL Advanced Reconnaissance Insertion Organic Unmanned System (Various) concept would contain lift fans in its wings. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) is soliciting proposals from industry for a vertical takeoff and landing experimental aircraft (VTOL X-plane) that would demonstrate “radical” improvements over the current state of VTOL flight. In late February, Darpa issued a broad agency announcement seeking proposals by May 1.