DARPA Announces “Gremlins” UAS Program

By Caroline Rees / 08 Sep 2015

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST
DARPA Gremlins program

Image courtesy of DARPA

For decades, U.S. military air operations have relied on increasingly capable multi-function manned aircraft to execute critical combat and non-combat missions. Adversaries’ abilities to detect and engage those aircraft from longer ranges have improved over time as well, however, driving up the costs for vehicle design, operation and replacement. An ability to send large numbers of small unmanned air systems (UAS) with coordinated, distributed capabilities could provide U.S. forces with improved operational flexibility at much lower cost than is possible with today’s expensive, all-in-one platforms—especially if those unmanned systems could be retrieved for reuse while airborne. So far, however, the technology to project volleys of low-cost, reusable systems over great distances and retrieve them in mid-air has remained out of reach.

To help make that technology a reality, DARPA has launched the Gremlins program. Named for the imaginary, mischievous imps that became the good luck charms of many British pilots during World War II, the program seeks to show the feasibility of conducting safe, reliable operations involving multiple air-launched, air-recoverable unmanned systems. The program also aims to prove that such systems, or “gremlins,” could provide significant cost advantages over expendable systems, spreading out payload and airframe costs over multiple uses instead of just one.

“Our goal is to conduct a compelling proof-of-concept flight demonstration that could employ intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and other modular, non-kinetic payloads in a robust, responsive and affordable manner,” said Dan Patt, DARPA program manager.

The Gremlins program seeks to expand upon DARPA’s Request for Information (RFI) last year, which invited novel concepts for distributed airborne capabilities. It also aims to leverage DARPA’s prior success in developing automated aerial refueling capabilities, as well the Agency’s current efforts to create advanced UAS capture systems for ships.

The program envisions launching groups of gremlins from large aircraft such as bombers or transport aircraft, as well as from fighters and other small, fixed-wing platforms while those planes are out of range of adversary defenses. When the gremlins complete their mission, a C-130 transport aircraft would retrieve them in the air and carry them home, where ground crews would prepare them for their next use within 24 hours.

DARPA plans to focus primarily on the technical challenges associated with safe, reliable aerial launch and recovery of multiple unmanned air vehicles. Additionally, the program will address new operational capabilities and air operations architectures as well as the potential cost advantages.

With an expected lifetime of about 20 uses, Gremlins could fill an advantageous design-and-use space between existing models of missiles and conventional aircraft, Patt said. “We wouldn’t be discarding the entire airframe, engine, avionics and payload with every mission, as is done with missiles, but we also wouldn’t have to carry the maintainability and operational cost burdens of today’s reusable systems, which are meant to stay in service for decades,” he said. Moreover, gremlin systems could be relatively cost-efficient if, as expected, they leverage existing technology and require only modest modifications to current aircraft.

To familiarize potential participants with the technical objectives of the Gremlins program, DARPA has scheduled a Proposers Day on Thursday, September 24, 2015, at DARPA’s offices in Arlington, Va. Advance registration is required through the registration website: http://ow.ly/Rvhyd. Registration closes on Friday, September 18, 2015, at 2:00 PM Eastern.

The DARPA Special Notice announcing the Proposers Day and describing the specific capabilities sought is available at http://go.usa.gov/36ARH. Email inquiries should be sent to [email protected].

The Gremlins program plans to explore numerous technical areas, including:

  • Launch and recovery techniques, equipment and aircraft integration concepts
  • Low-cost, limited-life airframe designs
  • High-fidelity analysis, precision digital flight control, relative navigation and station keeping

Proposers are encouraged to explore these areas as well as other technologies that could help the program achieve its goals. To maximize the pool of innovative proposal concepts, DARPA strongly encourages participation in these events and subsequent solicitations by non-traditional performers, including small businesses, academic and research institutions, and first-time government contractors.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

UK MOD Validates PDW C100 for Aerial Target Designation

Performance Drone Works (PDW) demonstrated the capabilities of its C100 quadcopter for the UK MOD, successfully designating targets with precision and completing extended-range missions during a live-fire event in Texas

Jul 09, 2025
SatLab Showcases Geospatial Technologies at CSPI-EXPO 2025

SatLab attended CSPI-EXPO 2025 in Chiba, Japan from 18-21 June, showcasing its latest innovations across the full spectrum of geospatial solutions

Jul 09, 2025
DeltaQuad Collaboration to Boost VTOL Surveillance Drone Production

DeltaQuad has partnered with VDL Groep to expand production of its Evo surveillance drone, enhancing manufacturing capabilities to meet rising defence sector demand

Jul 09, 2025
FarSounder Argos Powers Autonomous Navigation on Unmanned Surface Vessel

FarSounder’s Argos sonar technology has been integrated into DARPA’s NOMARS vessel, advancing autonomous navigation and situational awareness in unmanned maritime operations

Jul 09, 2025
Impact of Jamming & Spoofing on GNSS Positioning

Tersus GNSS explains how jamming and spoofing interfere with GNSS signals, outlines their distinct impacts, and presents technical strategies for detection and mitigation

Jul 09, 2025
ESA Feasibility Study to Advance Autonomous Drone Landing Without GPS

Agilica completes an ESA-backed study advancing precision drone landing tech that works without GPS, targeting urban, maritime, and complex autonomous UAV operations

Jul 09, 2025

Featured Content

New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Enhancing Mangrove Restoration Through 3D Printed Drone Design

Explore how Inverto Earth, in collaboration with HP Additive, is using sustainable 3D printing and drone technology to drive large-scale mangrove restoration and protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems

Jul 03, 2025
Partnership Combines Drone Swarms & Situational Awareness to Boost Wildfire Response

Kongsberg Geospatial and FireSwarm Solutions have partnered to integrate autonomous drone swarms with real-time situational awareness for faster, smarter wildfire response

Jun 30, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.