2026-01-15, 5:38:25 a.m.
Vancouver, BC, Canada — January 15, 2026 — Leads & Copy — First Tellurium Corp.’s subsidiary, PyroDelta Energy Inc., has entered the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) DARPA Lift Challenge, a US$6.5 million competition seeking novel drone designs.
The competition challenges participants to solve vertical heavy lift aviation’s toughest problem: the payload-to-weight ratio. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) aims to unite scientists, engineers, and tinkerers to advance technological possibilities.
Through the Lift Challenge, DARPA hopes to revolutionize drone use in defense, agriculture, construction, logistics, and other sectors. Competitors may gain national exposure and recognition as drone technology pioneers.
PyroDelta Head Engineer Michael Abdelmaseh expressed confidence in meeting the contest’s requirements. He believes that combining their thermoelectric technology with a design developed through ongoing R&D can achieve an unparalleled payload-to-weight ratio.
Abdelmaseh, a Certified Remote Pilot with the FAA, will pilot PyroDelta’s drone in the competition, scheduled for the summer of 2026. The competition’s date and location will be announced later this year.
First Tellurium President and CEO Tyrone Docherty stated that the DARPA Lift Challenge provides a timely platform for testing and showcasing PyroDelta’s drone design advancements. He shares Abdelmaseh’s confidence in their competitive ability.
First Tellurium generates revenue and value through mineral discovery, project development, and tellurium-based technologies.
Tyrone Docherty, President and CEO, can be contacted at 604.789.5653 or tyrone@firsttellurium.com.
Source: First Tellurium Corp.
