The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.
It is an agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military. DARPA conducts research and development in a wide range of areas, including aerospace, electronics, materials science, and biotechnology.
Some examples of aerospace-related projects that have been developed or are currently being developed by DARPA include:
- The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, a reusable unmanned spacecraft for testing new technologies in space.
- The Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), a program to develop hypersonic missiles capable of reaching speeds of up to 5,000 miles per hour.
- The Tactical Boost Glide (TBG) program, which is developing a new class of hypersonic weapon systems that can fly at high speeds and altitudes to deliver a conventional or nuclear payload.
- The Vulture program, which aims to develop a solar-powered aircraft that can stay aloft for five years or more for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions.
DARPA is known for its high-risk, high-reward approach to research and development, and its projects often push the boundaries of what is currently possible in aerospace technology.