The Aeronautical Society of India

Design Division & Mumbai Branch

present

8th National Aerospace Conceptual Design Competition (NACDeC-VIII)

Background:
The Design Division of The Aeronautical Society of India was set up in 2017. It is expected to

act as a torch bearer for aerospace design professionals, and to help them scale the professional

heights by offering a platform for inter-organizational exchange of ideas, to report professional

contributions, to meet, interact and learn from professionals from across the world, and to update

and augment professional knowledge.

One of the mandates of the Design Division is to encourage and nurture Aerospace design

related activities in the country, especially among the engineering college students, and

encourage them to apply their mind to address challenging aerospace design problems that are

relevant to the needs of our country. With this in mind, the Design Division, in association with

the Mumbai Branch, conducts an annual National Aerospace Conceptual Design Competition

(NACDeC) for the students. Seven NACDeC versions have been successfully conducted so far,
as summarised in Table 1:

NACDeC Year Problem Statement

I 2017-18 Multi-role amphibian aircraft

 II 2018-19 High Altitude UAV for Coastal Aerial Mapping

III 2019-20 High Altitude Long Endurance Aerial Platform

IV 2020-21 Inter City Electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft

V 2021-22 Water Scooping Amphibian Aircraft for Fire Fighting

VI 2022-23 Vertical Take-off and Landing Autonomous Air Ambulance

VII 2023-24 Solar Powered Martian UAV

Table 1: Previous year NACDeC problem statement theme

NACDeC-VIII:
We are happy to announce the 8th edition of NACDeC for the academic year 2024-2025, which

will involve conceptual design and sizing of a Supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

(SUCAV). This competition will be open to teams of Undergraduate and/or Postgraduate

students from CFTIs, or AICTE approved institutions in India. Each institute can nominate only

one team consisting of up to 05 (Five) students from any discipline.

Schedule of activities:
NACDeC-VIII will consist of four distinct stages: Design Competency Examination, mid-term

report, final design report, and the technical presentation in front of a panel of judges. Each

stage will require specific tasks to be completed by the participating teams. NACDeC-VIII will be

conducted as per the following schedule:

 Deadline Task

08 Nov 2024 Deadline for Team Registration

12 Jan 2025 Design Competency Examination

15 Jan 2025 Shortlisting of Teams for Stage-01

15 Mar 2025 Mid-Term Report Submission

25 Mar 2025 Shortlisting of teams for Stage-02

Final Report Submission

25 Jun 2025
30 Jun 2025 Team Viva

20 Jul 2025 Modified Report Submission

Shortlisting of teams for Stage-03

25 Jul 2025

16 Aug 2025 Final Round (Stage-04)

Prizes and Certificates:

The total Prize money of NACDeC-VIII will be Rs. 4 Lakhs. The members and Faculty mentors

of teams who successfully complete Stage-III of the competition will be given participation

certificates. Further, the round about travel expenses (limited up to 2 AC Rail fare for the shortest

distance) for the outstation teams will be reimbursed from their institutions to the venue of

StageIV presentation, and suitable accommodation will be provided. No reimbursements will be

made for local travel, as well as for Teams who are based locally.

The e-mail address <[email protected]> should be used for all communications and

queries related to NACDeC-VIII. Emails sent to any other address will be ignored. Members of

registered teams will also be added to a dedicated NACDeC WhatsApp group, to enable quick

communication. Latest information and updates about NACDeC-VIII will be posted on

<https://www.nacdec.in/>.

Link for our Social Media handles:

 https://bit.ly/2SUClmk https://bit.ly/310IG4e

https://bit.ly/2SOdcKj https://bit.ly/3dmiSER

https://bit.ly/3iP5w52 https://www.nacdec.in/

Problem Statement:

The problem statement for NACDeC-VIII is listed vide Appendix-I.

Webinars:

Regular online webinars will be conducted via ZOOM platform on various aspects related to the

topic of NACDeC-VIII. The aim of these webinars is to clarify any doubts that the teams may

have related to the rules and regulations of NACDeC-VIII, mission requirements, or to seek

information and guidance on carrying out the various tasks by experts who will conduct them. A

team of volunteers and experts lead by the Convener of NACDeC-VIII will conduct the Webinars,

and carry out an evaluation of the initial concepts, shortlisting of the teams for the final

presentation, and declaration of the winners. The decisions of the NACDeC-VIII organizing

committee will be final and binding on all the competitor teams, and no objections will be

entertained.

Evaluation Criteria:

The detailed evaluation Criteria for each stage of NACDeC-VIII is listed vide Appendix-II.

Organizing Committee:
Patron: Dr. Kota Harinarayana, Chairman, Design Division, Aeronautical Society of India

Convener: Dr. Rajkumar S. Pant, Professor, Aerospace Engineering Department, IIT Bombay

coMembers:

• Mr. A. Vadivelan, Scientist - F, Group Director (Aerodynamics), ADE, Bengaluru

• Ms. Tanvi Prakash, Assistant General Manager, L&T Defence, Mumbai

• Ms. Prachi Magar, Assistant Professor, Thakur Shyamnarayan Degree College, Mumbai

• Mr. Pranav Gupta, Project Research Engineer, IIT Bombay, Mumbai Volunteers:

• Mr. Nouman Uddin, L&T Defence, Coimbatore

• Mr. Ajit Chetry, Project Assistant, ADA, Bengaluru

• Mr. Raghav Tayade, Undergraduate Student, College of Engineering Pune, Pune

• Mr. Sayyed Aman Mansoor, Undergraduate Student, MVJ College of Engineering,

Bangalore

• Ms. Akriti, Graduate Student, IIT Bombay, Mumbai

 Appendix-I

Request for Proposal (RFP) for

Supersonic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (SUCAV)

Background
In the ever-evolving landscape of aerospace technology, the development of Supersonic
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) stands as a testament to human innovation and the quest for
achieving unprecedented speed and efficiency in aerial operations. These cutting-edge vehicles,
capable of traveling at speeds exceeding the sound barrier, have emerged as a new frontier in
military aviation, promising groundbreaking advancements in reconnaissance, surveillance, and
combat capabilities.
The need for supersonic UAVs stems from the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare. In an
era where agility, precision, and rapid response are paramount, supersonic UAVs offer
unparalleled strategic advantages. These vehicles can swiftly cover vast distances, providing
real-time intelligence and enabling rapid deployment of military assets. Their ability to penetrate
enemy defences at incredible speeds, conduct reconnaissance missions, and deliver precise
strikes makes them indispensable in both defensive and offensive military operations.
Furthermore, supersonic UAVs can reduce human risk by executing high-risk missions
autonomously, safeguarding the lives of military personnel.

Scope and Outcome:

NACDeC-VIII competition is focused on conceptual design and sizing of a Supersonic
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) intended for conducting surveillance and combat operations.
This project aims to identify feasible UAV design by considering various configurations and
leveraging available technologies.

Mission Objectives
The primary mission objective for the SUCAV is to optimize range, endurance, and payload
capacity while maintaining high-speed performance and operational effectiveness. This UAV is
designed for rapid deployment in contested environments, performing reconnaissance,
surveillance, and tactical engagements with an emphasis on long-range operations and
sustained flight capabilities. The UAV must achieve extended supersonic flight across varying
altitudes to enable fast deployment and strategic positioning. The mission profile should
maximize range and endurance while integrating essential payloads such as sensors, munitions,
or electronic warfare systems. It must support multiple daily sorties with efficient fuel or energy
use to extend operational duration. Figure 1 shows the sample mission profile that should be
followed by the vehicle.

Figure 1: Sample Mission Profile

To successfully complete the mission profile, the UAV must demonstrate robust performance
across several critical flight segments. Initially, it should be capable of climbing to a cruising
altitude of 14 km and maintaining this altitude effectively. If required, the UAV must also be able
to descend to 1.5 km altitude for specific operational needs, with smooth ingress and egress
transitions. Additionally, the UAV needs to loiter efficiently at the designated altitude, ensuring
stability and endurance for prolonged operations. The UAV must be stealthy with lower RCS, IR
and aural signature. Finally, the UAV must be equipped to execute a controlled and safe landing,
concluding the mission reliably. Meeting these performance criteria is essential for optimizing
the UAV's mission effectiveness and operational reliability.

Mission Requirements
Parameter Value

Payload Mass ≥ 1000 kg

Range ≥ 1000 km

Endurance ≥ 2 hours

Take-off & Landing Distance ≤ 2000 m

Change in Static Margin from Subsonic to ≤ +10%

Supersonic flight
To numerically evaluate and optimize the performance of a UAV, we use the flight score formula:

Vehicle performance Score

𝑀 × 𝐿 × 𝑊𝑝𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
𝐹=
𝑊𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 × 𝐷

Where:

• M = Mach Number
• L = Lift Force (N)
• 𝑊𝑝𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = Payload Weight (in kilograms)

• 𝑊𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = All-up Weight (in kilograms)

• D = Drag Force (N)

This formula quantifies the UAV's performance by combining its endurance, range, and payload
capacity while factoring in the total weight. To achieve the highest flight score, the UAV should
maximize endurance, range, and payload weight while minimizing all-up weight.

By applying this formula, we aim to identify UAV designs that offer optimal performance, balancing
key attributes to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Design Competency Examination

The first stage of NACDeC-VIII will consist of a Design Competency Examination, serving as a
screening test to evaluate whether the participating teams possess a fundamental understanding
of the problem statement and the basics of aircraft design. This will be a proctored, open
book/resource exam, conducted in teams over a duration of 2.5 hours on Sunday, 12th January
2025, from 15:30 to 18:00.
Student teams are required to work collaboratively, sitting together to solve the given problems
and submit a single, consensus-based response.

The scope of the examination includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

1. Review of existing literature on supersonic UAVs and their applications.

2. Analysis of the properties and challenges of supersonic flight, focusing on aerodynamic
and structural considerations.
3. Identification of promising UAV configurations and design concepts suitable for supersonic
performance.
4. Highlighting key design challenges specific to supersonic UAVs, such as drag reduction
and stability.
5. Fundamentals of Aircraft Design and Flight Mechanics, including Constraint Analysis,
Flight Envelope, and related concepts.

Tasks expected to be carried out Stage-II:

Mid Term Report

M-1: Finalize the mission profile, including operational requirements and performance objectives.

M-2: Develop a sizing methodology for each identified UAV configuration, considering supersonic
requirements.

M-3: Determine aerodynamic parameters, including drag coefficients and stability characteristics
at supersonic speeds.

M-4: Size the propulsion system, focusing on high-speed performance and fuel efficiency; assess
energy balance.

M-5: Conduct vehicle sizing and mass breakdown, incorporating the impacts of supersonic flight.

Stage-III: Final Design Report

F-1: Shortlist the final design configuration based on performance evaluations and mission
requirements.

F-2: Create a 3D CAD model of the UAV using an open-source program (e.g., OpenVSP), focusing
on aerodynamic and structural aspects.
F-3: Design and analyze the structural components of the UAV to withstand supersonic stresses
and thermal loads.

F-4: RCS Calculation of the vehicle vs the drag produced (Selection of the optimum point)

F-5: Conduct sensitivity studies of key design parameters, such as speed, altitude, and payload
capacity, to refine the final design.

Appendix-II

Evaluation Criteria for NACDeC-VIII

This competition will be conducted in three stages as outlined below. At each stage, the Teams

will be evaluated and shortlisted for the next stage.

Stage-I
Teams will be shortlisted based on their performance in the Design Competency Examination.

The evaluation will focus on the team's ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of the

problem statement, their knowledge of key concepts in aircraft design, and their ability to apply

these concepts to supersonic UAV design challenges. Teams will be assessed on their ability to

critically review existing literature, analyse the properties and challenges of supersonic flight,

and propose viable UAV configurations. Additionally, problem-solving skills, collaborative efforts,

and the thoroughness of the design approach will also be key factors in the evaluation.

Stage-II
Teams must submit a comprehensive mid-term report (MTR) that demonstrates their progress

and achievements up to the midway point of the competition. The report should include a

detailed analysis of the project's development, and the solutions implemented. Technical

specifications, design considerations, and initial results should also be presented in the mid-

term report.

Stage-III
In this phase, shortlisted teams are required to provide a detailed and exhaustive final design

report (FDR) that encompasses all aspects of their project. The report should cover the final

design of the solution, including technical schematics, system architecture, algorithms, and

software implementation details. It should contain a Design & Performance Data Sheet,
 mentioning values of all the important design and performance parameters in a single table.

Additionally, a thorough analysis of the project's performance, testing methodologies, and

validation results should be included in the final design report. All teams who successfully submit

their FDRs will have to appear for an online VIVA which will be considered for final shortlisting.

The evaluation criteria for Stage-II and Stage-III design report is as follows:

A. Technical Content (40 points)

● Does the submitted design meet RFP requirements?

● Are the assumptions clearly stated and logical?

● Does the team have a thorough understanding of the analysis tools used?

● Are all major technical issues and points considered in the analyses?

● Have proper trade studies been performed during the design process?

● Are all important systems and sub-systems properly elaborated?

● Are all technical drawings clear, descriptive, and represent a feasible design?

B. Application & Feasibility (25 points)

● Is there a proper justification and substantiation of all technologies proposed?

● Are critical technological issues appropriately emphasized?

● Have affordability considerations influenced the design process?

● Have safety, reliability and maintainability features been incorporated in the design?

● Have the materials and manufacturability constraints been considered in the design

process?

● Have the operational issues adequately addressed in the final design?

C. Originality (20 points)

 ● Does the concept demonstrate originality and aesthetics?

● Does the proposed concept contain innovative solutions to address the problems?

D. Organization & Presentation (15 points)

● Does the report meet all format and content requirements?

● Is the Executive Summary self-contained, and does it contain all the pertinent

information?

● Is the report well organized and information readily accessible and in a logical sequence?
● Does the report contain clear and uncluttered graphs and drawings?

Report Format and Lengths

The reports must be submitted in PDF readable with Adobe Acrobat, and follow these guidelines:

● Mid Term Report shall be no more than 50 pages

● Final Design Report shall be no more than 100 pages

● All pages are to be numbered

● Page count includes all Figures, Diagrams, Drawings, and Appendices

● Pages shall be standard A4

● Use of 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing

● If a submission exceeds the page limit for its category, the judges will apply a penalty of

one mark per page over the limit.