APA

The team’s latest section brings together the fields of aeronautics and space propulsion. Advanced Propulsion Aircraft (APA) is designing a UAV that stands out for its maximum speed, achieved thanks to a specially designed rocket motor. The presence of this particular engine and the high speed and acceleration it entails require specific and unique studies in all areas of the project.

ADVANCED PROPULSION AIRCRAFT

Aerodynamics: This department is responsible for all aspects of the aerodynamic study of aircraft, including the aircraft’s design and engineering, as well as the verification of design choices as the project progresses. At a more advanced stage, the use of CFD simulation is employed to analyse the aircraft and its sub-components.

Flight Mechanics: It plays a key role in the preliminary design phase and studies the aircraft’s flight behaviour, its static and dynamic stability, and therefore the distribution of masses and the appropriate sizing of the wing surfaces. In parallel, it’s developing a SimuLink flight simulator.

This is the first APA project. It consists of a UAV with a dual propulsion system: a classic electric motor-propeller for take-off, reaching cruise conditions and landing; and a solid-propellant rocket motor for reaching top speed.

This project is a first step towards acquiring the knowledge and expertise needed to build an aircraft capable of breaking the record.

The mission is scheduled to take place in October 2026 at the AeroClub Friulano in Pasian di Prato, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and is divided into the following phases:

– Take-off and ascent;

– Burning phase (Electric Propulsion OFF), <170 m/s;

– Deceleration phase;

– Reaching cruise conditions, horizontal flight, 30m/s;

– EP restarting and re-entry;

– Landing.

Top speed: Mach 0.4

Estimated first flight date: October 2026

Propulsion:

Structure materials:

PROJECT FRANCO

Initially, the work focused on studying the literature on this type of engine and searching for a fuel-oxidiser combination that would meet the pre-set economic, performance and technical constraints.

In the second phase, the actual engine design was carried out using specially developed Python and MatLab codes, as well as specific CFD and FEM simulations.