DARPA – The Defense Post

Apr- 2026 -

16 April

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Morales, assigned to 41st Field Artillery Brigade, updates Soldier information in a battalion aid station during Saber Guardian 25, Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 13, 2025. The aid station enables rapid triage, treatment, and evacuation of casualties, ensuring readiness and lifesaving support in austere operational environments. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hunter Carpenter) Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict.

DARPA’s $2M Bet: Teach AI Agents to Talk Smarter and Discover New Science

DARPA is going all-in on AI agents that don’t just trade answers, but could help unlock the next wave of scientific breakthroughs.

Mar- 2026 -

24 March

Americas

Inder Singh Bisht

US Army Takes Delivery of First Optionally Piloted Black Hawk

The DARPA and Sikorsky have transferred the UH-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk to the US Army for advanced operational testing.

11 March

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

DARPA Explores Fold-Away Rotor Concept With New X-76 Aircraft

Runways could soon matter far less for the US Army as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency pushes ahead with the X-76 experimental aircraft.

Feb- 2026 -

26 February

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

1-Km X-Ray Vision: RTX Gets Contract to Develop Long-Range Imaging Tech

An RTX business has been tapped to improve military awareness in an unusual way: extending military X-ray vision to nearly a kilometer to let operators see hidden objects from unprecedented distances.

19 February

Air

LongShot aircraft releasing air-to-air missiles.

Giulia Bernacchi

DARPA’s LongShot Moves Toward Flight Tests With X-68A Air-Launched Drone

DARPA’s LongShot program is advancing toward flight tests of the X-68A, an air-launched drone designed to fly ahead of crewed jets.

2 February

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Frontline ‘Miracle’: DARPA’s Robotic Medical Tool Concept Seals Wounds Under Fire

DARPA is exploring a new robotic concept that locates wounds and applies lifesaving treatment, giving injured frontline troops a better chance to survive until they reach a hospital.

Jan- 2026 -

19 January

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Jodesz Gavilan

US DARPA Taps Shearwater AI to Extend Drone Flight Endurance

The US DARPA has selected Shearwater Aerospace to provide AI software that helps drones exploit wind currents to extend flight endurance.

Dec- 2025 -

9 December

Air

Artist's rendition of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Lift Challenge

Rojoef Manuel

DARPA Pushes Small Drone Payload Limits in ‘Lift Challenge’

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has launched a competition to develop small unmanned aerial systems that can exceed current payload capacity.

Oct- 2025 -

22 October

Americas

A U.S. Soldier assigned to 41st Field Artillery Brigade acts as a simulated casualty after an opposition forces attack during Saber Guardian 25, Cincu Training Area, Romania, June 13, 2025. The aid station enables rapid triage, treatment, and evacuation of casualties, ensuring readiness and lifesaving support in austere operational environments. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Hunter Carpenter) Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict.

Rojoef Manuel

DARPA Seeks ‘Smart Blood’ to Boost Warfighter Endurance

DARPA has issued a solicitation for modified red blood cells that improve troop performance and survival in extreme environments.

Aug- 2025 -

26 August

Americas

Tactical air control party personnel setting field radio antenna

Rojoef Manuel

US Firms Join DARPA Effort to Develop ‘Weird’ Covert Communication Systems

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has teamed up with five American firms to develop covert communication systems designed to withstand advanced surveillance under its Provably Weird Network Deployment and Detection program.

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