DARPA has enlisted two teams, General Atomics with Maritime Applied Physics Corporation and Aurora Flight Sciences with Gibbs & Cox and ReconCraft, to develop designs for the Liberty Lifter Seaplane Wing-in-Ground Effect program.
Graphic: DARPA
The two teams have taken distinct approaches in their designs. The General Atomics team has chosen a twin-hull, mid-wing design with twelve turboshaft engines, while the Aurora team has a traditional flying boat design with a single hull and eight turboprops.
DARPA will work with both teams and Department of Defense stakeholders over the next 18 months to refine the Liberty Lifter designs and ensure they meet operational needs and concepts. The preliminary design review will take place at the end of the 18-month period.
Phase 2 will see continued detailed design, manufacturing, and demonstration of the full-scale Liberty Lifter X-Plane. DARPA is already planning to partner with one or more DoD Service and international partners for further development into an operational vehicle.
The Liberty Lifter is expected to resemble a large flying boat, similar in size and capacity to the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
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