We are thrilled to share some truly wonderful news!
AAUB has achieved a remarkable milestone at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) DBF 2025 Competition! Our team ‘Airborne Phoenix’ soared to the 18th position in the Final Design Report and secured an overall 36th position out of 159 top-tier universities from across the globe — an incredible feat for our debut appearance! Our aircraft, codenamed PHOENIX, flew 3 Flying Missions and one Ground Test Mission at TIMPA, Arizona, USA. 
Even more excitingly, AAUB outperformed world-renowned institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Purdue, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, National University of Singapore (NUS), and all universities from South Asia. This is a proud moment not only for our university but for the entire nation also.
This year’s competition challenged participants with an extraordinary mission — designing a UAV inspired by the iconic X-1 supersonic test vehicle. Teams were tasked with creating a mother UAV that could carry both internal and external payloads and air-launch an unpowered glider. It was one of the most complex and thrilling challenges in DBF history!
With over 1,200 students from 159 universities participating, this was the largest and most competitive DBF event ever. During the grand closing ceremony, AIAA CEO Mr. Clay Mowry lauded special appreciation for AAUB’s outstanding performance. AIAA President Dr. Daniel Hastings (MIT) also extended his heartfelt felicitation and expressed great admiration for our team overcoming immense engineering and logistical hurdles.
The success of this entire project is a shining reflection of the strategic vision, heartfelt dedication, and generous support of our esteemed Vice Chancellor, Air Vice Marshal A K M Manirul Bahar. His unwavering confidence in our potentials made this dream a reality!
Under the inspiring leadership of Group Captain Dr. Saifur Rahman Bakaul, Chairman of the Aerospace Department, this project was guided with expertise and passion in every step of the way. At the heart of the students’ team, Abdullah al Aziz stood out as a dynamic leader, rallying the team with enthusiasm and determination.
Together, their combined efforts turned an ambitious vision into an extraordinary achievement!

The result of Design Phase and Final Phase can be found online at:
https://aiaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-DBF-Flight-Order.pdf
https://aiaa.org/dbf/competition-information/2025-dbf-competition-scoring/

Vice Chancellor of AAUB seeing off AAUB Team for DBF Competition-2025

AAUB Team with AIAA CEO, Mr. Clay Mowry

AIAA CEO with AAUB Faculty Lead and Student Lead

Video on PHOENIX in Captive Carry Mission (Mission-2)

Video on AIAA's Official Video Hails AAUB Efforts

AIAA President Dr. Hastings from MIT interacting with AAUB Faculty Supervisor Dr. Saifur Bakaul

Final preparation for technical inspection

PHOENIX flying at the magnificent backdrop of Avra Valley

PHOENIX in landing approach

PHOENIX in Mission-1

PHOENIX Team during the break

PHOENIX Team carrying out assembling of the UAV

Final work before the technical inspection of PHOENIX

There is nothing more rewarding than raising the national flag in international arena

Planes, planes and more planes…

Planes, plans, and passion