General Atomics Receives DARPA Contract To Develop Liberty Lifter Seaplane

The conceptual platform is designed to carry heavy loads while flying in ground effect.

Jonathan Welsh

Thursday, December 01, 2022 at 04:50 PM ET

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An artist rendering of DARPA's Liberty Lifter. [Courtesy: DARPA]

Key Takeaways:

The Liberty Lifter, a large military seaplane concept, has entered a new development phase, with DARPA awarding General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. an approximately $8 million contract for research and development.
Designed as a tactical and strategic airlifter similar to the C-17, it features twin fuselages, operates from water to avoid airfield dependence, and aims for cost-effective construction.
The aircraft uniquely leverages wing-in-ground effect for efficient flight low over water, extending range and capacity, but also possesses the ability to fly at altitudes up to 10,000 feet.

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A new development phase for the Liberty Lifter, a large military seaplane concept, is under way, roughly on schedule.

The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded a contract of just under $8 million to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. for research and development work on the project. Earlier this year DARPA told FLYING it was evaluating proposals and expected to issue a contract in the fall.