WANA (Oct 21) – Students from Iran’s Sharif University of Technology’s Aerospace Department have once again proven their expertise on the global stage by securing first and third places in the latest edition of the British Royal Aeronautical Society’s (RAeS) international aircraft design competition.

 

Two teams, ShadX-Tishtrya and ShadX-The Sky Vanguards, under the guidance of Dr. Seyed Mohammad Bagher Malaek, represented the university in this prestigious event, showcasing innovative designs that met the challenge of creating a multifunctional firefighting aircraft.

 

The competition’s primary objective was to design an aircraft capable of carrying and dropping at least 2,000 kilograms of water or fire-suppressing chemicals to combat large-scale wildfires.

 

Additionally, the aircraft needed to transport personnel and rescue equipment, as well as quickly switch between different mission profiles. Beyond its firefighting duties, the aircraft had to fulfill economic tasks during periods with low wildfire risk.

 

 

ShadX-Tishtrya’s Winning Design: “Tishtrya”

The first-place design by the ShadX-Tishtrya team, named “Tishtrya,” draws inspiration from ancient Persian mythology. In Persian lore, Tishtrya is the white horse that brings rain and ends drought, a fitting symbol for an aircraft designed to fight fires.

 

Tishtrya’s high maneuverability makes it ideal for flying over fire zones at varying temperatures. The aircraft is equipped with augmented reality technology, providing the pilot with a 360-degree view of the fire scene through a helmet display, minimizing the risk of errors during operations.

 

Its design allows for quick reconfiguration to perform various tasks, such as deploying parachutist firefighters or transporting cargo. Furthermore, preliminary cost estimates suggest that Tishtrya is more economically viable compared to similar firefighting aircraft.

 

The first-place design by the ShadX-Tishtrya team. www.sharif.ir/ WANA News Agency

 

ShadX-The Sky Vanguards’ ARA Design

The Sky Vanguards team presented the ARA aircraft, which took third place. The innovative aspect of ARA lies in its modular and variable body design, optimizing space and reducing weight for firefighting missions, parachute deployment, passenger transport, and cargo handling.

 

The team’s goal was to create a cost-effective and accessible design for aviation industries worldwide by utilizing existing aircraft structures. One of ARA’s standout features is its ability to scoop water directly from rivers or lakes during firefighting missions, eliminating the need to return to base for refilling.

 

Additionally, the ARA can be fitted with optional features, including thermal imaging cameras for night missions and AI-based pilot guidance systems to optimize performance. The aircraft’s low-consumption, environmentally-friendly engines align with its ecological goals. With operational costs less than half of other firefighting aircraft, ARA presents an economical and sustainable solution for firefighting operations.

 

This success is not the first for Sharif University’s aerospace students, who also secured third place in the 2021-2022 edition of the RAeS competition. Their consistent achievements highlight the high caliber of Iran’s aerospace talent and their ability to compete on the international stage.

 

The 3rd-place design by ShadX-The Sky Vanguards, www.sharif.ir/ WANA News Agency