Works without radio control
DARPA says the system works without radio control. We still lack clear test details for the specific version.
Last reviewed
What we are looking for
Does operation continue without an operator’s command link?
Where this applies
DARPA FLA · Phase 2 · vehicle version undisclosed
What has been observed
- DARPA states that FLA systems do not require a communications link.DARPA · Jul 18, 2018
What limits this finding
- The later FLA evaluation reports limited round-trip success in its hardest Phase 1 test.UMass Lowell / arXiv · Apr 10, 2025
What we still need to know
Version-specific link-loss evidence; inter-drone links must be distinguished.
What would change our view
A disclosed test with operator-link state and outcome.
What would be enough to confirm it
A link-absent or link-loss test with observable continued operation. GPS denial alone is insufficient.