Unmanned Systems

Spencer Koontz

Engineer building unmanned aircraft systems. Currently competing in the DARPA Lift Challenge under Sierra Kilo Lift.

DARPA Lift Challenge

Active Development

Competing in DARPA's payload delivery challenge. The aircraft must carry 110+ lbs while weighing under 55 lbs empty, fly a 5 NM course at 350 ft AGL, and perform autonomous VTOL operations. Architecture details coming after the May 2026 flight test deadline.

≥2:1
Payload Ratio
VTOL
Launch & Recovery
5 NM
Course Length
≤55 lb
Empty Weight

Sierra Kilo Ventures is the engineering vehicle behind my work in unmanned systems and autonomous flight. I'm focused on the hard problems in aircraft design — the trade-offs between aerodynamics, propulsion, and sensing that differentiates different UAS offerings

I also write about drone warfare, aerial tactics, and the trade-offs between cost, payload, performance, and sensors that define 21st-century warfare

Reach out if you're working on adjacent problems or interested in what we're building.