2024/25: Project Woombah and Kookaburra

P2

ASIA-PACIFIC

P2

AUSTRALIA

P4

INTERNATIONAL

P9

OVERALL

Project Woombah

Project Woombah and Kookaburra was SUAVE’s third entry into the DBF Competition, following the strong results of the previous year. Entering the season, the team set out to push boundaries with a UAV – glider duo, committed to improving performance through innovation, creativity and resilience. The project stands as proof of SUAVE’s best results yet, and a testament to the hard work and persistence of the entire team.

competition rules

The 29th Annual AIAA DBF Competition centred on experimental autonomous gliders, challenging teams to design and build two aircraft in a single season while achieving autonomous flight. In response, SUAVE developed innovative payload systems for glider attachment and release, and explored new approaches to autonomous flight.

The following constraints were enforced:

6 foot (1.8m) max wingspan
Fuel Tanks of 16 Fluid Ounces (473ml)
5 minute time limit for parking to flight transition and payload installation for all missions.

The competition missions were as follow:

Mission 1 – Delivery Flight

Must complete 3 laps
Pass/Fail Score

Mission 2 – Captive Carry Flight

Payload of “Fuel Tanks” and Glider
Minimum two “Fuel Tanks”
Score is a function of weight and flight time

Mission 3 – Launch Flight

Payload of “Fuel Tanks” and Glider
After 1 initial lap, Glider must be deployed from 200 – 400 feet (61–122m) (AGL)
The Glider must land inside specific zones
Score is a function of laps flown post launch and landing zone of Glider

Ground Mission