DARPA has tapped Shearwater Aerospace to support its Albatross program with AI software designed to help drones harness wind energy and significantly increase endurance. As a subcontractor, Shearwater will provide its Smart Flight solution, which integrates automated mission planning with micro-weather forecasting to dynamically adapt flight paths based on real-time atmospheric conditions. Already fielded in defense and logistics roles, the software allows UAVs to extend range and persistence by leveraging natural wind currents without adding new sensors or airframe modifications. In the coming months, PhysicsAI and Applied Aeronautics will conduct flight demonstrations to validate how weather-informed autonomy improves performance in operationally relevant scenarios. The effort reflects DARPA’s broader focus on autonomy, building on recent initiatives such as the Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration and earlier programs aimed at enabling unmanned aircraft to complete missions with minimal human oversight and resilient autonomy in contested environments.
