Avidrone公司的Katana单旋翼直升机在DARPA重型升力挑战赛中获胜，实现了3.84:1的载重比，其中机身重量为13.3公斤，携带载重达51公斤[1]。这一成绩虽然未达到4:1的满奖目标，但仍足以为该公司赢得125万美元奖金，而非原预期的250万美元[1]。赛事于俄亥俄州代顿的美国空军博物馆进行，Katana完成9.3公里航程的用时为19分17秒[1]。
MTech Operations和Xtreme Aerial Concepts分别位列亚军和季军，载重比分别为3.64:1和3.45:1，各获得75万美元和50万美元奖励[1]。本次比赛共有61个团队在7天内参赛[1]。参赛队需携带至少49.9公斤的配重并在30分钟限时内完成任务[1]。值得注意的是，有4支团队尝试突破4.1:1或更高比例，但均未能完成规定航程，其中至少一架飞机的电池在3英里处耗尽[1]。
DARPA为本次挑战赛设立的总奖池为650万美元，实际支出为400万美元[1]。Portal Aircraft因其最具革命性的动力系统获得50万美元创新奖，该公司表示该技术可应用于农业领域[1]。相比之下，现有商业无人机的载重比仅在0.53:1至1:1之间[1]，本次竞赛充分证明了电池动力无人机在超大载重性能方面的可行性[1]。
Avidrone's Katana helicopter won the DARPA heavy lift challenge, achieving a payload-to-weight ratio of 3.84:1 by carrying 51 kilograms of weight while weighing 13.3 kilograms [1]. The victory, achieved at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio on January 12, 2025, fell short of the 4:1 ratio required for the full $2.5 million prize, earning the company $1.25 million instead [1]. Sixty-one teams completed the competition within the seven-day window, demonstrating that battery-powered unmanned aircraft can achieve exceptional heavy-lifting capabilities [1].
The challenge required participants to transport at least 49.9 kilograms of counterweight over a 9.3-kilometer course within 30 minutes [1]. MTech Operations secured second place with a 3.64:1 ratio and received $750,000, while Xtreme Aerial Concepts claimed third with a 3.45:1 ratio and $500,000 [1]. Four teams attempted ratios of 4.1:1 or higher but failed to complete the course; at least one aircraft exhausted its battery after 3 miles [1]. Existing commercial unmanned aircraft typically achieve payload ratios between 0.53:1 and 1:1 [1].
The total DARPA competition purse was $6.5 million, with $4 million distributed among winners [1]. Portal Aircraft received an additional $500,000 innovation award for its revolutionary propulsion system design, with the company indicating the technology could be applied to agricultural applications [1].