A Decade of Excellence in Design/Build/Fly
For ten years, joanneum Aeronautics has proudly participated in the Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition, hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Over the past decade, our teams have consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, performance, and teamwork. This year, we aim to continue this legacy and compete among the best international teams in Tucson, Arizona.
We are proud to announce that the DBF25 design proposal has been officially accepted, marking the beginning of an intense and rewarding aircraft development phase. Our team is fully committed to designing and building a competitive aircraft, showcasing not only our engineering expertise but also our dedication to aviation excellence.
Mission: X-1 Supersonic Flight Program
This year’s competition is centered around a Supersonic Flight Test Program, where teams must design and build an aircraft capable of launching an X-1 test vehicle. The mission objectives include:
- Mission 1 – Delivery Flight: Successfully completing three laps within a five-minute flight window without payload.
- Mission 2 – Captive Carry Flight: Transporting the X-1 test vehicle and fuel tanks externally while completing three laps.
- Mission 3 – Launch Flight: Releasing the X-1 test vehicle mid-flight at an altitude of 200-400 feet and ensuring it transitions into stable flight, executes a 180-degree turn, and lands within designated zones for bonus points – completely autonomous.
- Ground Mission: Demonstrating a rapid payload installation process, including fuel tanks and the X-1 vehicle, followed by a successful ground release test.
These objectives require advanced structural integrity, aerodynamics, and mission execution strategies, pushing the limits of our engineering capabilities. The final aircraft will be unveiled at our official rollout event in end of March, where we will showcase our progress to the public and sponsors.
Introducing DBF25 – “SEESCHWALBE”
Every year, our aircraft is given a unique name and identity that reflects our vision and inspiration. This year, our aircraft is named “SEESCHWALBE”, symbolizing agility, speed, and adaptability—essential qualities for urban air mobility solutions. Our aircraft logo proudly represents the Austrian spirit, combining engineering excellence with the beauty of nature.
