DARPA FANG Challenges Open: Design a Next-Gen Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has just announced its latest prize challenge, and we believe it may be of particular interest to CR4 members.

Registration is now open for the DARPA Fast Adaptable Next-Generation Ground Vehicle (FANG) Challenges, a series of three design competitions that will use a collaborative process to design a new heavy, amphibious infantry-fighting vehicle. Competitors will utilize an online component model library, virtual design tools and a brand new collaboration platform, and the winning design will be built and tested with prizes totaling $4 million for the top teams.

Why is DARPA doing this? The current systems engineering model has been unchanged by the defense community for more than 50 years and with system complexity growing, timetables are increasing and costs are rising. This path is unsustainable. FANG competitors will use a radically novel approach where hundreds or even thousands of innovators can put forth truly revolutionary ideas, helping to compress development timetables by a factor of five.

The success of the challenges hinges on the right people knowing about this opportunity. If you believe you have the necessary technical skills and an interest in competing, please visit VehicleFORGE.org to learn more about the FANG Challenges, and register today for the first FANG "Mobility/Drivetrain" Challenge competition, kicking-off in early 2013.