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DARPA

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox government agency 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Originally known as the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), the agency was created on February 7, 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in response to the Soviet launching of Sputnik 1 in 1957. By collaborating with academia, industry, and government partners, DARPA formulates and executes research and development projects to expand the frontiers of technology and science, often beyond immediate U.S. military requirements.<ref name="Commission2008">Dwight D. Eisenhower and Science & Technology, (2008). Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, Source.</ref> The name of the organization first changed from its founding name, ARPA, to DARPA, in March 1972, changing back to ARPA in February 1993, then reverted to DARPA in March 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Economist has called DARPA "the agency that shaped the modern world", with technologies like "Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine ... weather satellites, GPS, drones, stealth technology, voice interfaces, the personal computer and the internet on the list of innovations for which DARPA can claim at least partial credit".<ref name="Economist">Template:Cite news</ref> Its track record of success has inspired governments around the world to launch similar research and development agencies.<ref name="Economist" />

DARPA is independent of other military research and development and reports directly to senior Department of Defense management. DARPA comprises approximately 220 government employees in six technical offices, including nearly 100 program managers, who together oversee about 250 research and development programs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Rob McHenry is the current acting director.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

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File:DARPA through 50 years.ogv
DARPA achievements for the past 50 years

Early history (1958–1969)

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File:DARPA headquarters.jpg
DARPA's former headquarters in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington County, Virginia. The agency is currently located in a new building at 675 North Randolph St.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was suggested by the President's Scientific Advisory Committee to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a meeting called after the launch of Sputnik.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> ARPA was formally authorized by President Eisenhower in 1958 for the purpose of forming and executing research and development projects to expand the frontiers of technology and science, and able to reach far beyond immediate military requirements.<ref name="Commission2008"/> The two relevant acts are the Supplemental Military Construction Authorization (Air Force)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (Public Law 85-325) and Department of Defense Directive 5105.15, in February 1958. It was placed within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and counted approximately 150 people.<ref>Template:Cite mailing list</ref> Its creation was directly attributed to the launching of Sputnik and to U.S. realization that the Soviet Union had developed the capacity to rapidly exploit military technology. Initial funding of ARPA was $520 million.<ref name = Wizards20 >"$ 520 million appropriation and a $ 2 billion budget plan." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (p. 20). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref> ARPA's first director, Roy Johnson, left a $160,000 management job at General Electric for an $18,000 job at ARPA.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name = Wizards21 >"Roy Johnson, ARPA's first director, was, like his boss, a businessman. At age fifty-two, he had been personally recruited by McElroy, who convinced him to leave a $160,000 job with General Electric and take an $18,000 job in Washington." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (p. 21). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref> Herbert York from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was hired as his scientific assistant.<ref name = Wizards21a >"Herbert York, whom Killian had been keen on, was given the job and moved to ARPA from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (p. 21). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref>

Johnson and York were both keen on space projects, but when NASA was established later in 1958 all space projects and most of ARPA's funding were transferred to it. Johnson resigned and ARPA was repurposed to do "high-risk", "high-gain", "far out" basic research, a posture that was enthusiastically embraced by the nation's scientists and research universities.<ref name = Wizards21,22 >"The staff of ARPA saw an opportunity to redefine the agency as a group that would take on the really advanced "far-out" research....The scientific community, predictably, rallied to the call for a reinvention of ARPA as a "high-risk high-gain" research sponsor— the kind of R& D shop they had dreamed of all along" Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (pp. 21,22). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref> ARPA's second director was Brigadier General Austin W. Betts, who resigned in early 1961 and was succeeded by Jack Ruina who served until 1963.<ref name = Wizards23,24 >"In early 1961 ARPA's second director, Brigadier General Austin W. Betts, resigned" Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (pp. 23,24) Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref> Ruina, the first scientist to administer ARPA, managed to raise its budget to $250 million.<ref name = Wizards23 >"Ruina raised ARPA's annual budget to $ 250 million." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (p. 23). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref> It was Ruina who hired J. C. R. Licklider as the first administrator of the Information Processing Techniques Office, which played a vital role in creation of ARPANET, the basis for the future Internet.<ref name = Wizards27-39 >"J. C. R. Licklider." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet (pp. 27–39). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition.</ref>

Additionally, the political and defense communities recognized the need for a high-level Department of Defense organization to formulate and execute R&D projects that would expand the frontiers of technology beyond the immediate and specific requirements of the Military Services and their laboratories. In pursuit of this mission, DARPA has developed and transferred technology programs encompassing a wide range of scientific disciplines that address the full spectrum of national security needs.

From 1958 to 1965, ARPA's emphasis centered on major national issues, including space, ballistic missile defense, and nuclear test detection.<ref name = Wizards23a >projects in ballistic missile defense and nuclear test detection, couched in terms of basic research, were the top priorities." Lyon, Matthew; Hafner, Katie (1999-08-19). Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet (p. 23). Simon & Schuster. Kindle edition.</ref> During 1960, all of its civilian space programs were transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the military space programs to the individual services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This allowed ARPA to concentrate its efforts on the Project Defender (defense against ballistic missiles), Project Vela (nuclear test detection), and Project AGILE (counterinsurgency R&D) programs, and to begin work on computer processing, behavioral sciences, and materials sciences. The DEFENDER and AGILE programs formed the foundation of DARPA sensor, surveillance, and directed energy R&D, particularly in the study of radar, infrared sensing, and x-ray/gamma ray detection.

ARPA at this point (1959) played an early role in Transit (also called NavSat) a predecessor to the Global Positioning System (GPS).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> "Fast-forward to 1959 when a joint effort between DARPA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory began to fine-tune the early explorers' discoveries. TRANSIT, sponsored by the Navy and developed under the leadership of Richard Kirschner at Johns Hopkins, was the first satellite positioning system."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=gap>Template:Cite book</ref>

During the late 1960s, with the transfer of these mature programs to the Services, ARPA redefined its role and concentrated on a diverse set of relatively small, essentially exploratory research programs. The agency was renamed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 1972, and during the early 1970s, it emphasized direct energy programs, information processing, and tactical technologies.Template:Citation needed

Concerning information processing, DARPA made great progress, initially through its support of the development of time-sharing. All modern operating systems rely on concepts invented for the Multics system, developed by a cooperation among Bell Labs, General Electric and MIT, which DARPA supported by funding Project MAC at MIT with an initial two-million-dollar grant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

DARPA supported the evolution of the ARPANET (the first wide-area packet switching network), Packet Radio Network, Packet Satellite Network and ultimately, the Internet and research in the artificial intelligence fields of speech recognition and signal processing, including parts of Shakey the robot.<ref name="ieee">Template:Cite web</ref> DARPA also supported the early development of both hypertext and hypermedia. DARPA funded one of the first two hypertext systems, Douglas Engelbart's NLS computer system, as well as The Mother of All Demos. DARPA later funded the development of the Aspen Movie Map, which is generally seen as the first hypermedia system and an important precursor of virtual reality.

Later history (1970–1980)

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The Mansfield Amendment of 1973 expressly limited appropriations for defense research (through ARPA/DARPA) only to projects with direct military application.

The resulting "brain drain" is credited with boosting the development of the fledgling personal computer industry. Some young computer scientists left the universities to startups and private research laboratories such as Xerox PARC.

Between 1976 and 1981, DARPA's major projects were dominated by air, land, sea, and space technology, tactical armor and anti-armor programs, infrared sensing for space-based surveillance, high-energy laser technology for space-based missile defense, antisubmarine warfare, advanced cruise missiles, advanced aircraft, and defense applications of advanced computing.

Many of the successful programs were transitioned to the Services, such as the foundation technologies in automatic target recognition, space-based sensing, propulsion, and materials that were transferred to the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), later known as the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), now titled the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Recent history (1981–present)

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During the 1980s, the attention of the Agency was centered on information processing and aircraft-related programs, including the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) or Hypersonic Research Program. The Strategic Computing Program enabled DARPA to exploit advanced processing and networking technologies and to rebuild and strengthen relationships with universities after the Vietnam War. In addition, DARPA began to pursue new concepts for small, lightweight satellites (LIGHTSAT) and directed new programs regarding defense manufacturing, submarine technology, and armor/anti-armor.

In 1981, two engineers, Robert McGhee and Kenneth Waldron, started to develop the Adaptive Suspension Vehicle (ASV) nicknamed the "Walker" at the Ohio State University, under a research contract from DARPA.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The vehicle was 17 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 10.5 feet high, and had six legs to support its three-ton aluminum body, in which it was designed to carry cargo over difficult terrains. However, DARPA lost interest in the ASV, after problems with cold-weather tests.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On February 4, 2004, the agency shut down its so called "LifeLog Project". The project's aim would have been, "to gather in a single place just about everything an individual says, sees or does".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On October 28, 2009, the agency broke ground on a new facility in Arlington County, Virginia a few miles from The Pentagon.<ref>The Washington Times, "Pentagon Agency Breaks Ground", October 29, 2009.</ref>

In fall 2011, DARPA hosted the 100-Year Starship Symposium with the aim of getting the public to start thinking seriously about interstellar travel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On June 5, 2016, NASA and DARPA announced that it planned to build new X-planes with NASA's plan setting to create a whole series of X planes over the next 10 years.<ref name="Building X Planes">Template:Cite web</ref>

Between 2014 and 2016, DARPA shepherded the first machine-to-machine computer security competition, the Cyber Grand Challenge (CGC), bringing a group of top-notch computer security experts to search for security vulnerabilities, exploit them, and create fixes that patch those vulnerabilities in a fully automated fashion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is one of DARPA prize competitions to spur innovations.

In June 2018, DARPA leaders demonstrated a number of new technologies that were developed within the framework of the GXV-T program. The goal of this program is to create a lightly armored combat vehicle of not very large dimensions, which, due to maneuverability and other tricks, can successfully resist modern anti-tank weapon systems.<ref>"DARPA demonstrates 6 new technologies behind the agile combat vehicles of tomorrow" New Atlas, June 26, 2018</ref>

In September 2020, DARPA and the US Air Force announced that the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) are ready for free-flight tests within the next year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Victoria Coleman became the director of DARPA in November 2020.<ref name="Cohen">Template:Cite web</ref>

In recent years, DARPA officials have contracted out core functions to corporations. For example, during fiscal year 2020, Chenega ran physical security on DARPA's premises,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> System High Corp. carried out program security,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Agile Defense ran unclassified IT services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> General Dynamics runs classified IT services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Strategic Analysis Inc. provided support services regarding engineering, science, mathematics, and front office and administrative work.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Organization

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Current program offices

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DARPA has six technical offices that manage the agency's research portfolio, and two additional offices that manage special projects.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All offices report to the DARPA director, including:

  • The Defense Sciences Office (DSO): DSO identifies and pursues high-risk, high-payoff research initiatives across a broad spectrum of science and engineering disciplines and transforms them into important, new game-changing technologies for U.S. national security. Current DSO themes include novel materials and structures, sensing and measurement, computation and processing, enabling operations, collective intelligence, and global change.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • The Information Innovation Office (I2O) aims to ensure U.S. technological superiority in all areas where information can provide a decisive military advantage.
  • The Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) core mission is the development of high-performance, intelligent microsystems and next-generation components to ensure U.S. dominance in Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Directed Energy (DE). The effectiveness, survivability, and lethality of systems that relate to these applications depend critically on microsystems and components.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • The Strategic Technology Office (STO) mission is to focus on technologies that have a global theater-wide impact and that involve multiple Services.<ref name="darpa.mil">Template:Cite web DARPA Offices. Retrieved 2009-11-08.</ref>
  • The Tactical Technology Office (TTO) engages in high-risk, high-payoff advanced military research, emphasizing the "system" and "subsystem" approach to the development of aeronautic, space, and land systems as well as embedded processors and control systems
  • The Biological Technologies Office (BTO) fosters, demonstrates, and transitions breakthrough fundamental research, discoveries, and applications that integrate biology, engineering, and computer science for national security. Created in April 2014 by then Director Arati Prabhakar, taking programs from the MTO and DSO offices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former offices

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militaryaerospace.com. May 1, 2003</ref>
  • The Special Projects Office (SPO) researched, developed, demonstrated, and transitioned technologies focused on addressing present and emerging national challenges. SPO investments ranged from the development of enabling technologies to the demonstration of large prototype systems. SPO developed technologies to counter the emerging threat of underground facilities used for purposes ranging from command-and-control, to weapons storage and staging, to the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. SPO developed significantly more cost-effective ways to counter proliferated, inexpensive cruise missiles, UAVs, and other platforms used for weapon delivery, jamming, and surveillance. SPO invested in novel space technologies across the spectrum of space control applications including rapid access, space situational awareness, counterspace, and persistent tactical grade sensing approaches including extremely large space apertures and structures.
  • The Office of Special Development (OSD) in the 1960s developed a real-time remote sensing, monitoring, and predictive activity system on trails used by insurgents in Laos, Cambodia, and the Republic of Vietnam. This was done from an office in Bangkok, Thailand, that was ostensibly established to catalog and support the Thai fishing fleet, of which two volumes were published. This is a personal recollection without a published citation. A report on the ARPA group under which OSD operated is found here.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A 1991 reorganization created several offices which existed throughout the early 1990s:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

  • The Electronic Systems Technology Office combined areas of the Defense Sciences Office and the Defense Manufacturing Office. This new office will focus on the boundary between general-purpose computers and the physical world, such as sensors, displays and the first few layers of specialized signal-processing that couple these modules to standard computer interfaces.
  • The Software and Intelligent Systems Technology Office and the Computing Systems office will have responsibility associated with the Presidential High-Performance Computing Initiative. The Software office will also be responsible for "software systems technology, machine intelligence and software engineering."
  • The Land Systems Office was created to develop advanced land vehicle and anti-armor systems, once the domain of the Tactical Technology Office.
  • The Undersea Warfare Office combined areas of the Advanced Vehicle Systems and Tactical Technology offices to develop and demonstrate submarine stealth and counter-stealth and automation.

A 2010 reorganization merged two offices:

Directors

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Template:Anchor Directors of DARPA have included:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Abbr Image Director Term start Term end Notes
1 File:Roy W. Johnson.jpeg Roy W. Johnson 1958 1959
2 File:Austin W. Betts.jpeg Austin W. Betts 1960 1961
3 File:Jack P. Ruina.jpeg Jack Ruina 1961 1963
4 File:RobertLSproul1970.jpg Robert Sproull 1963 1965
5 File:Portrait of Charles M. Herzfeld, Director of Defense Research and Engineering.jpg Charles M. Herzfeld June 1965 March 1967
6 File:Eberhardt Rechtin.jpg Eberhardt Rechtin 1967 1970
7 File:SJLukasik1990.jpg Stephen J. Lukasik 1970 1975
8 File:George H. Heilmeier.jpg George H. Heilmeier 1975 1977
9 File:Robert R. Fossum.jpeg Robert R. Fossum 1977 1981
10 File:Robert S. Cooper, DARPA Director, 1981–1985.jpg Robert S. Cooper 1981 1985
11 File:Robert C. Duncan, DARPA Director, 1985–1988.jpeg Robert C. Duncan 1985 1988
12 File:Ray S. Colladay, DARPA Director, 1988–1989.jpeg Ray S. Colladay 1988 1989
13 File:Craig I. Fields, DARPA Director, 1989–1990.jpeg Craig I. Fields 1989 1990
14 File:Victor H. Reis, DARPA Director, 1990–1992.jpeg Victor H. Reis 1990 1992
15 File:Gary L. Denman, DARPA Director, 1992-1995.jpeg Gary L. Denman 1992 1995
16 File:Verne L. Lynn, DARPA Director, 1995–1998.jpeg Verne L. "Larry" Lynn 1995 1998
17 File:Fernando L. Fernandez, DARPA Director, 1998 – 2001.jpeg Fernando L. "Frank" Fernandez 1998 2001
18 File:Defense.gov News Photo 010709-A-3569D-001.jpg Anthony J. Tether June 18, 2001 February 20, 2009 <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
– Robert Leheny February 21, 2009 July 19, 2009 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
19 File:DARPA Director Dr regina dugan.jpeg Regina E. Dugan July 20, 2009 March 2012 <ref name="Dugan leaves">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
acting File:2019 - Auto-Tech & TalkRobot - Day 1 VJR10650 (49018512253).jpg Kaigham "Ken" Gabriel March 2012 July 29, 2012 <ref name="Dugan leaves"/>
20 File:Arati Prabhakar, OSTP Director.jpg Arati Prabhakar July 30, 2012 January 20, 2017 <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
acting File:Dr. Steven H. Walker.JPG Steven H. Walker January 20, 2017 November 8, 2017 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
21 November 8, 2017 January 10, 2019
acting File:Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Peter Highnam.jpg Peter Highnam January 11, 2019 September 23, 2020
22 File:Victoria Coleman.jpg Victoria Coleman September 24, 2020 January 20, 2021 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
acting File:Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. Office of the Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Peter Highnam.jpg Peter Highnam January 20, 2020 March 14, 2021 <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
23 File:Stefanie Tompkins official portrait.jpg Stefanie Tompkins March 15, 2021 January 20, 2025 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
acting Rob McHenry January 20, 2025 May 19, 2025
24 Stephen Winchell May 19, 2025 Present <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Projects

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A list of DARPA's active and archived projects is available on the agency's website. Because of the agency's fast pace, programs constantly start and stop based on the needs of the U.S. government. Structured information about some of the DARPA's contracts and projects is publicly available.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Active projects

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Template:Multiple issues

By May 2024, Manta Ray was not only the descriptor for the DARPA R&D program, but was also the name of a specific prototype UUV built by Northrop Grumman, with initial tests conducted in the Pacific Ocean during 1Q2024. Manta Ray has been designed to be broken down and fit into 5 standard shipping containers, shipped to where it will be deployed, and be reassembled in the theatre of operations where it will be used. DARPA is working with the US Navy to further test and then transition the technology.<ref name=cnn20240513>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Media Forensics (MediFor): A project aimed at automatically spotting digital manipulation in images and videos, including Deepfakes. (2018).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> MediFor largely ended in 2020 and DARPA launched a follow-on program in 2021 called the semantic forensics, or SemaFor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • MEMS Exchange: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) Implementation Environment (MX)<ref>mems-exchange.org</ref><ref>DARPA.mil</ref>
  • Millimeter-wave GaN Maturation (MGM) program: develop new GaN transistor technology to attain high-speed and large voltage swing at the same time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> HRL Laboratories LLC, a joint venture between Boeing and General Motors, is working on phase 2 as of fiscal year 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Modular Optical Aperture Building Blocks (MOABB) program (2015): design free-space optical components (e.g., telescope, bulk lasers with mechanical beam-steering, detectors, electronics) in a single device. Create a wafer-scale system that is one hundred times smaller and lighter than existing systems and can steer the optical beam far faster than mechanical components. Research and design electronic-photonic unit cells that can be tiled together to form large-scale planar apertures (up to 10 centimeters in diameter) that can run at 100 watts of optical power. The overall goals of such technology are (1) rapid 3D scanning using devices smaller than a cell-phone camera; (2) high-speed laser communications without mechanical steering; (3) and foliage-penetrating perimeter sensing, remote wind sensing, and long-range 3-D mapping.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of fiscal year 2020, Analog Photonics LLC of Boston, Massachusetts, was working on phase 3 of the program and is expected to finish by May 2022.<ref name="U.S. Department of Defense Contract">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Multi- Azimuth Defense Fast Intercept Round Engagement System (MAD-FIRES) program: develop technologies that combine advantages of a missile (guidance, precision, accuracy) with advantages of a bullet (speed, rapid-fire, large ammunition capacity) to be used on a medium-caliber guided projectile in defending ships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Raytheon is currently working on MAD-FIRES phase 3 (enhance seeker performance, and develop a functional demonstration illuminator and engagement manager to engage and defeat a representative surrogate target) and is expected to be finished by November 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Near Zero Power RF and Sensor Operations (N-ZERO): Reducing or eliminating the standby power unattended ground sensors consume. (2015)<ref>DARPA N-ZERO program seeks to reduce or eliminate need for standby power on unattended sensors Template:Webarchive – Militaryaerospace.com, 9 February 2015</ref>
  • Neural implants for soldiers. (2014)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS): USX-1 Defiant, a medium uncrewed surface vessel (USV) was first seen in public in March 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Novel, nonsurgical, bi-directional brain-computer interface with high spacio-temporal resolution and low latency for potential human use.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Open, Programmable, Secure 5G (OPS-5G) (2020): The program is to address security risks of 5G networks by pursuing research leading to the development of a portable standards-compliant network stack for 5G mobile that is open source and secure by design. OPS-5G seeks to create open source software and systems that enable secure 5G and subsequent mobile networks such as 6G.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Operational Fires (OpFires): developing a new mobile ground-launched booster that helps hypersonic boost glide weapons penetrate enemy air defenses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 17 July 2020, Lockheed Martin was working on phase 3 of the program (develop propulsion components for the missile's Stage 2 section) to be completed by January 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The system was successfully tested in July 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS): DARPA created the program in 2010 to seek to fundamentally increase Close Air Support effectiveness by enabling dismounted ground agents—Joint Terminal Attack Controllers—and combat aircrews to share real-time situational awareness and weapons systems data.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • PREventing EMerging Pathogenic Threats (PREEMPT)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • QuASAR: Quantum Assisted Sensing and ReadoutTemplate:When<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • QuBE: Quantum Effects in Biological EnvironmentsTemplate:When<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • QUEST: Quantum Entanglement Science and Technology<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
  • Quiness: Macroscopic Quantum Communications<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
  • QUIST: Quantum Information Science and TechnologyTemplate:When<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • RADICS: Rapid Attack Detection, Isolation and Characterization Systems<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Rational Integrated Design of Energetics (RIDE): developing tools that speed up and facilitate energetics research.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Remote-controlled insects<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
  • Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program (RSGS): a telerobotic and autonomous robotic satellite-servicing project, conceived in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, DARPA selected Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics as its RSGS partner. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory designed and developed the RSGS robotic arm with DARPA funding. The RSGS system is anticipated to start servicing satellites in space in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) (2020): This is a four-year program and aims to make sure algorithms aren't the limiting part of the system and that autonomous combat vehicles can meet or exceed soldier driving abilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> RACER conducted its third experiment to assess the performance of off-road unmanned vehicles March 12–27, 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • SafeGenes: a synthetic biology project to program "undo" sequences into gene editing programs (2016)<ref>U.S. Military Preps for Gene Drives Run Amok Template:Webarchive – ScientificAmerican.com, 18 November 2016</ref>
  • Sea Train (2019): The program goal is to develop and demonstrate ways to overcome range limitations in medium unmanned surface vessels by exploiting wave-making resistance reductions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="U.S. Department of Defense Contract" /> Applied Physical Sciences Corp. of Groton, Connecticut, is undertaking Phase 1 of the Sea Train program, with an expected completion date of March 2022.<ref name="U.S. Department of Defense Contract" /> Sea Train, NOMARS and Manta Ray are the three programs that could significantly impact naval operations by extending the range and payloads for unmanned vessels on and below the surface.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Secure Advanced Framework for Simulation & Modeling (SAFE-SiM) program: build a rapid modeling and simulation environment to enable quick analysis in support of senior-level decision-making. As of fiscal year 2020, Radiance Technologies<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and L3Harris<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> were working on portions of the program, with expected completion in August and September 2021, respectively.
  • Securing Information for Encrypted Verification and Evaluation (SIEVE) program: use zero knowledge proofs to enable the verification of capabilities for the US military "without revealing the sensitive details associated with those capabilities."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Galois Inc. of Portland, Oregon, and Stealth Software Technologies of Los Angeles, California, are currently working on the SIEVE program, with a projected completion date of May 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Semantic Forensics (SemaFor) program: develop technologies to automatically detect, attribute, and characterize falsified media (e.g., text, audio, image, video) to defend against automated disinformation. SRI International of Menlo Park, California, and Kitware Inc. of Clifton, New York, are working on the SemaFor program, with an expected completion date of July 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Sensor plants: DARPA "is working on a plan to use plants to gather intelligence information" through DARPA's Advanced Plant Technologies (APT) program, which aims to control the physiology of plants in order to detect chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. (2017)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Synthetic Hemo-technologIEs to Locate and Disinfect (SHIELD) (2023): The program aims to develop prophylaxes and prevent bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by bacterial/fungal agents, a threat to military and civilian populations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • SIGMA: A network of radiological detection devices the size of smart phones that can detect small amounts of radioactive materials. The devices are paired with larger detector devices along major roads and bridges. (2016)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • SIGMA+ program (2018): by building on concepts theorized in the SIGMA program, develop new sensors and analytics to detect small traces of explosives and chemical and biological weaponry throughout any given large metropolitan area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2021, SIGMA+ program, in collaboration with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), concluded a three-month-long pilot study with new sensors to support early detection and interdictions of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • SoSITE: System of Systems Integration Technology and Experimentation: Combinations of aircraft, weapons, sensors, and mission systems that distribute air warfare capabilities across a large number of interoperable manned and unmanned platforms. (2015)<ref>DARPA unveils new SoSITE program for maintaining air superiority Template:Webarchive – Airrecognition.com, 1 April 2015</ref>
  • SSITH: System Security Integrated Through Hardware and Firmware - secure hardware platform (2017); basis for open-source, hack-proof voting system project and 2019 system prototype contract<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • SXCT: Squad X Core Technologies: Digitized, integrated technologies that improve infantry squads' awareness, precision, and influence. (2015)<ref>DARPA's Squad X Core Technologies program looks to create smarter, more aware infantry squads Template:Webarchive – Gizmag.com, 10 February 2015</ref>
  • SyNAPSE: Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
  • Tactical Boost Glide (TBG): Air-launched hypersonic boost glide missile. (2016)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Raytheon wins DARPA TBG contract modification Template:Webarchive – Shephardmedia.com, 4 May 2015</ref><ref name= erblandStults >Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (Tern)(2014): The program seeks to develop ship based UAS systems and technologies to enable a future air vehicle that could provide persistent ISR and strike capabilities beyond the limited range and endurance provided by existing helicopter platforms.<ref>DARPA, Navy want long-range ISR drones for smaller ships Template:Webarchive – Defensesystems.com, 13 June 2014</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • TransApps (Transformative Applications), rapid development and fielding of secure mobile apps in the battlefield
  • ULTRA-Vis (Urban Leader Tactical Response, Awareness and Visualization): Heads-up display for individual soldiers. (2014)<ref>DARPA's ULTRA-Vis Augments Reality For Foot Troops Template:Webarchive – Breakingdefense.com, 21 May 2014</ref>
  • underwater network, heterogeneous: develop concepts and reconfigurable architecture, leveraging advancement in undersea communications and autonomous ocean systems, to demonstrate utility at sea.<ref name="U.S. Department of Defense Contract 2">Template:Cite web</ref> Raytheon BBN is currently working on this program, with work expected through 4 May 2021, though if the government exercises all options on the contract then work will continue through 4 February 2024.<ref name="U.S. Department of Defense Contract 2" />
  • Upward Falling Payloads: Payloads stored on the ocean floor that can be activated and retrieved when needed. (2014)<ref>Pentagon plans to seed ocean floor with payloads waiting to be activated Template:Webarchive – Defensesystems.com, 27 March 2014</ref>
  • Urban Reconnaissance through Supervised Autonomy (URSA) program: develop technology for use in cities to enable autonomous systems that U.S. infantry and ground forces operate to detect and identify enemies before U.S. troops come across them. Program will factor in algorithms, multiple sensors, and scientific knowledge about human behavior to determine subtle differences between hostiles and innocent civilians.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Soar Technology Inc. of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is currently working on pertinent vehicle autonomy technology, with work expected completed by March 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Warrior Web: Soft exosuit to alleviate musculoskeletal stress on soldiers when carrying heavy loads. (2014)<ref>DARPA's Warrior Web project may provide super-human enhancements – Army.mil, 5 May 2014</ref>
  • Waste Upcycling for Defense (WUD) (2023): to turn scrap wood, cardboard, paper, and other cellulose-derived matter into sustainable materials such as building materials for re-use.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Past or transitioned projects

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Notable fiction

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DARPA is well known as a high-tech government agency, and as such has many appearances in popular fiction. Some realistic references to DARPA in fiction are as "ARPA" in Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X (DARPA consults on a technical threat),<ref>Victor Appleton II, 1961. Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X Template:Webarchive, originally published by Grosset & Dunlap of New York, now re-published by Project Gutenberg. ARPA is referred to on page 68 published 1961</ref> in episodes of television program The West Wing (the ARPA-DARPA distinction), the television program Numb3rs,<ref>Numb3ers, Season 1, Episode 5 Template:Webarchive, and Season 5, Episode 17 Template:Webarchive</ref> and the Netflix film Spectral.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

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References

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Further reading

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