X-Design: Demonstrator of the future

DLR Design Challenge 2026

Dornier 228-212 research aircraft
Dornier 228-212 research aircraft
The Dornier DO 228-212 (D-CFFU) serves as DLR's flying testbed for Earth observation. Equipped with spectrometers and radar measurement systems, it supports the testing and validation of new sensor technology under real-world flight conditions. The DLR Design Challenge 2026 consistently builds on this approach: rather than seeking to upgrade an existing platform, it encourages the conceptualisation of a completely new small aircraft devised specifically to demonstrate novel technologies.
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X-Design – Demonstrator der Zukunft

Timeline

Pre-announcement of the theme and schedule of the DLR Design Challenge

December 2025

Publication of the detailed task description for the DLR Design Challenge

February 2026

Email registration deadline for teams via the university's supervising chair

1 March 2026

Kick-off event at DLR's site in Braunschweig, publication of the detailed task description

12 March 2026

Submission of competition reports in English (contents from own Bachelor's and Master's theses may be included)

12 July 2026

Closing event at DLR's site in Hamburg, presentation of the projects followed by the awards ceremony

20 August 2026

Presentation of selected winning entries at an international aviation congress

September/October 2026

All winning teams will have the opportunity to present their results at the German Aerospace Congress (DLRK). In addition, the winning team will be invited to showcase their project at the international EASN (European Aerospace Science Network) conference.

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Your tasks – DLR Design Challenge 2026

2.2 MB | PDF

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) invites students from German universities to take part in the DLR Design Challenge 2026: Take the next step in aviation together with us and develop an innovative, feasible concept for an experimental aircraft to demonstrate future aviation technologies!