Congratulations to the winners of the Navy's Next Jet Competition!

Elementary School

Rhys Larson

3rd grade from Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School in Leonardtown, Maryland

Larson designed the F/AV-65 Ultra Cheetah which earned top marks for its high-altitude abilities and nuclear armament. Its rotating wing rockets that enable vertical flight were especially impressive!

 

Middle School

Gabriel Niklas

6th grade from John Hanson Middle School in Waldorf, Maryland

Niklas designed a jet using simulation and CAD software to verify and prototype the system. This long-range agile stealth fighter features a possible unmanned conversion!

 

High School

Aidan Van Buren (10th grade), Wolf Peters (11th grade), and Leo Kim (9th grade)

Southern Maryland's Homeschool Community

The team of homeschoolers designed the Deviant, an unmanned carrier-based, autonomous, remotely operated system featuring wings with vectoring fans enabling vertical takeoff and landing, and increased maneuverability at low speeds!

Bravo Zulu to these aspiring aircrew and aerospace engineers!

What is the Navy's Next Jet Competition?

The Navy’s Next Jet Competition invited students from K-12th grades across Southern Maryland’s St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties to submit their futuristic jet designs for a chance to earn a tour with a NAWCAD squadron and experience Naval Aviation up close. The top designs are featured on exhibit at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum until December 31, 2024.

By the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in partnership with the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft

The competition is open to students in elementary, middle, and high schools across Southern Maryland’s tri-county area. Participants can enter as individuals or as a team, with a maximum of five students per team. Educators or organization leads must supervise team submissions.

Participants are tasked with designing the Navy's next- generation jet aircraft. Designs should include detailed specifications, features, and capabilities of the proposed jet. Submissions must include a written description and visual representation (drawing, digital rendering, or model) of the jet. See Contest Rules and Submissions Requirements for details.

Participants must submit their designs electronically to NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office. Each submission should include the participant's name(s), grade level, school name, and contact information. Submissions are due by October 15.

Submission Requirements

1. Cover Page

1.1. Title: Navy's Next Jet Competition

1.2. Participant's Name(s)

1.3. Grade Level

1.4. School Name

1.5. Contact Information (Email, Phone Number)

2. Table of Contents

3. Summary

3.1. Design Overview

3.2. Capabilities

4. Aircraft Design

4.1. Description of the Aircraft's Exterior Appearance

4.2. Specifications (Dimensions, Weight, Wingspan, etc.)

4.3. Features

5. Visual Representation

5.1. Drawing(s), Digital Rendering(s), or Model(s) of the Navy’s Next Jet

Submission Guidelines

• All submissions must be electronic
• Accepted file formats: PDF, JPEG, PNG
• Submission deadline: Oct. 15
• Submissions should be sent to NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office at: [email protected]

Participants are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their designs, while ensuring feasibility and adherence to the competition theme. Students are encouraged but not required to consider additional elements of their design including:

Cockpit and Controls

• Layout and Design of the Cockpit
• Control Systems and Instrumentation, etc.

Performance Characteristics

• Speed, Altitude, Range, and Endurance

• Maneuverability and Stability, etc.

Systems and Equipment

• Engine(s) and Propulsion System
• Avionics and Communication Systems

• Defensive Systems (if applicable)
• Other Specialized Equipment, etc.

One winner will be selected from each of the three categories: elementary school, middle school, and high school. Designs will be evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, innovation, and adherence to the theme. A panel of judges comprising Naval Aviation experts will review and select the winning entries.

The winning participants or teams will earn a tour of NAWCAD's squadron(s) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to be scheduled in coordination with the squadron. The prize includes a guided tour of NAWCAD's squadron(s), including the opportunity to see aircraft up close, meet test pilots, and experience a flight simulator. Additionally, winners will have their submission featured in the Navy’s Next Jet exhibit at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. The winning design will also be featured on Naval Aviation’s official channels and recognized as an honorary concept for future Naval Aviation development.

Announcement of Competition: Sept. 4, 2024

Submission Period: Sept. 4 – Oct. 15, 2024

Judging Period: Oct. 16 – Oct. 30, 2024

Winner Announcement: Oct. 31, 2024

General Terms

Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of these contest rules and terms. NAWCAD reserves the right to disqualify any entries that do not comply with the rules or fail to meet the submission requirements. NAWCAD reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition at any time, for any reason, without prior notice.

Ownership and Usage Rights

By submitting an entry, participants grant the Navy permission to use their designs for promotional and educational purposes. Participants retain ownership of their designs but grant the Navy non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, and display the designs in any media or format.

Promotion and Publicity

By entering the competition, participants consent to their names and submissions being featured in promotional materials, press releases, and media coverage related to the Navy's Next Jet Competition.

By participating in the Navy's Next Jet Competition, participants agree to abide by these rules and terms and acknowledge that their submissions may be used by the Navy for promotional and educational purposes.

For inquiries or assistance regarding the Navy's Next Jet Competition, please contact NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office at [email protected].

The competition is open to students in elementary, middle, and high schools across Southern Maryland’s tri-county area. Participants can enter as individuals or as a team, with a maximum of five students per team. Educators or organization leads must supervise team submissions.

Participants are tasked with designing the Navy's next- generation jet aircraft. Designs should include detailed specifications, features, and capabilities of the proposed jet. Submissions must include a written description and visual representation (drawing, digital rendering, or model) of the jet. See Contest Rules and Submissions Requirements for details.

Participants must submit their designs electronically to NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office. Each submission should include the participant's name(s), grade level, school name, and contact information. Submissions are due by October 15.

Submission Requirements

1. Cover Page

1.1. Title: Navy's Next Jet Competition

1.2. Participant's Name(s)

1.3. Grade Level

1.4. School Name

1.5. Contact Information (Email, Phone Number)

2. Table of Contents

3. Summary

3.1. Design Overview

3.2. Capabilities

4. Aircraft Design

4.1. Description of the Aircraft's Exterior Appearance

4.2. Specifications (Dimensions, Weight, Wingspan, etc.)

4.3. Features

5. Visual Representation

5.1. Drawing(s), Digital Rendering(s), or Model(s) of the Navy’s Next Jet

Submission Guidelines

• All submissions must be electronic
• Accepted file formats: PDF, JPEG, PNG
• Submission deadline: Oct. 15
• Submissions should be sent to NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office at: [email protected]

Participants are encouraged to be creative and innovative in their designs, while ensuring feasibility and adherence to the competition theme. Students are encouraged but not required to consider additional elements of their design including:

Cockpit and Controls

• Layout and Design of the Cockpit
• Control Systems and Instrumentation, etc.

Performance Characteristics

• Speed, Altitude, Range, and Endurance

• Maneuverability and Stability, etc.

Systems and Equipment

• Engine(s) and Propulsion System
• Avionics and Communication Systems

• Defensive Systems (if applicable)
• Other Specialized Equipment, etc.

One winner will be selected from each of the three categories: elementary school, middle school, and high school. Designs will be evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, innovation, and adherence to the theme. A panel of judges comprising Naval Aviation experts will review and select the winning entries.

The winning participants or teams will earn a tour of NAWCAD's squadron(s) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to be scheduled in coordination with the squadron. The prize includes a guided tour of NAWCAD's squadron(s), including the opportunity to see aircraft up close, meet test pilots, and experience a flight simulator. Additionally, winners will have their submission featured in the Navy’s Next Jet exhibit at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. The winning design will also be featured on Naval Aviation’s official channels and recognized as an honorary concept for future Naval Aviation development.

Announcement of Competition: Sept. 4, 2024

Submission Period: Sept. 4 – Oct. 15, 2024

Judging Period: Oct. 16 – Oct. 30, 2024

Winner Announcement: Oct. 31, 2024

General Terms

Participation in the competition constitutes acceptance of these contest rules and terms. NAWCAD reserves the right to disqualify any entries that do not comply with the rules or fail to meet the submission requirements. NAWCAD reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition at any time, for any reason, without prior notice.

Ownership and Usage Rights

By submitting an entry, participants grant the Navy permission to use their designs for promotional and educational purposes. Participants retain ownership of their designs but grant the Navy non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, and display the designs in any media or format.

Promotion and Publicity

By entering the competition, participants consent to their names and submissions being featured in promotional materials, press releases, and media coverage related to the Navy's Next Jet Competition.

By participating in the Navy's Next Jet Competition, participants agree to abide by these rules and terms and acknowledge that their submissions may be used by the Navy for promotional and educational purposes.

For inquiries or assistance regarding the Navy's Next Jet Competition, please contact NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office at [email protected].

The Navy's Next Jet Competition returns in early 2026!

The Navy's Next Jet Competition returns in early 2026!