The US military’s race to make fake blood

The US military is intensifying efforts to develop synthetic blood alternatives to address critical shortages on the battlefield. Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable combat deaths, yet current blood supplies are limited by short shelf lives and complex storage requirements. DARPA has launched the $73 million RAPIID program, aimed at creating shelf-stable versions of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. This initiative builds on previous research, such as the FSHARP project, to ensure that life-saving transfusions can be administered within the critical 36-minute window following injury. By coordinating clinical trials and focusing on freeze-dried blood products, the military hopes to deploy these synthetic solutions by 2029. This development could significantly improve survival rates for both military personnel and civilian trauma patients worldwide, overcoming the logistical hurdles that currently prevent blood from reaching those in urgent need.