MACH 7: Boom Subsonic

This aircraft was built for the 2022-2023 competition. The mission for 2023 was to design, build and test an aircraft to simulate an electronic warfare mission. This competition presented many unique challenges and required the aircraft to have the following features:

• Assemble to flight readiness in less than 5 minutes from a suitcase sized crate

• Internally house an electronics package with 3 x 3 x 6 in minimum dimensions and weight equal to or greater than 30% of the aircraft’s gross weight

• Fly with a PVC pipe “antenna” on one wingtip

• Take off in under 60 feet of runway

Despite a catastrophic crash in the week leading up to the flyoff, which required an almost complete rebuild of the aircraft, we were able compete in Tucson AZ. We completed all three flight missions in a total of five flights. The team placed 10th overall out of 99 teams, MACH’s best ever placement. This aircraft is the team’s largest advancement technologically and showcases the team’s expansion into industry-level manufacturing and design, including custom composite components.