X-Design: Demonstrator of the future

DLR Design Challenge 2026

Dornier 228-212 research aircraft — UpLift Dornier 328-100 Model 20 – flying testbed for climate-neutral technologies
The Dornier 328 'UpLift' will be used as a flying testbed for climate-compatible aviation technologies, such as fully synthetic fuels or hydrogen as a possible sustainable aircraft fuel of the future. The DLR Design Challenge 2026 builds on this approach, but shifts the focus away from further developing existing platforms towards the complete redevelopment of a nine-seater small aircraft. Students are asked to design a concept that is conceived from the outset to demonstrate innovative and climate-compatible aviation technologies.
Credit:
DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
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UpLift Dornier 328-100 Model 20 – flying testbed for climate-neutral technologies
The Dornier 328 'UpLift' will be used as a flying testbed for climate-compatible aviation technologies, such as fully synthetic fuels or hydrogen as a possible sustainable aircraft fuel of the future. The DLR Design Challenge 2026 builds on this approach, but shifts the focus away from further developing existing platforms towards the complete redevelopment of a nine-seater small aircraft. Students are asked to design a concept that is conceived from the outset to demonstrate innovative and climate-compatible aviation technologies.
Credit:
DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
Download Download

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.