AIAA 2025 Strike Fighter Design Competition
F-44

FALCON

Next-generation carrier-based strike fighter designed to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet — with extended combat radius, internal weapons carriage, and advanced survivability.

M1.49
Max Dash Speed
800 nmi
Combat Radius
42,567 lb
Max Takeoff Weight
2×F404
Powerplant
Explore Aircraft Mission Profiles

Aircraft Overview

Designed for Carrier Superiority

The F-44 Falcon is a twin-engine, carrier-based strike fighter conceived to meet and exceed the AIAA 2025 Request for Proposal. Developed by Team ALEBORNE at San Diego State University, the F-44 addresses the U.S. Navy's need for a successor to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

The aircraft features an internal weapons bay for improved low-observable characteristics, a blended delta-wing planform optimized for both high-speed dash and carrier approach stability, and twin F404 turbofan engines providing sufficient thrust for catapult launch and arrested landing operations.

At a combat radius of 800 nmi — 14% beyond the 700 nmi requirement — the F-44 delivers meaningful range expansion without sacrificing the maneuverability and payload flexibility demanded by multi-role carrier operations.

Carrier-Based Internal Weapons Bay Supersonic Capable Twin-Engine Multi-Role Folding Wing
F-44 Falcon Engine Configuration Drawing

Technical Specifications

By the Numbers

Key performance parameters and geometric characteristics of the F-44 Falcon as derived from the conceptual design study.

⚡
Max Dash Speed
M 1.49
at 30,000 ft
🎯
Combat Radius
800
nautical miles
🛬
Approach Speed
144
KTAS (carrier approach)
🚀
Catapult End Speed
183
KTAS
⚖️
Max Takeoff Weight
42,567
lb (A2A mission)
🪶
Empty Weight (Strike)
26,236
lb operating empty
⛽
Internal Fuel (Strike)
18,276
lb
💣
Weapons Payload
7,600
lb (strike)
📐
Wingspan (Unfolded)
41.5
ft
📏
Wingspan (Folded)
37.5
ft (carrier storage)
↔️
Aircraft Length
50
ft
↕️
Aircraft Height
14.16
ft
🔷
Wing Area
400
ft²
🔩
Powerplant
2× F404
turbofan engines
📊
Thrust-to-Weight
0.75
at max takeoff weight
🛡️
Weapons Bay
Internal
low-observable carriage

Mission Profiles

Dual-Role Capability

The F-44 is optimized for two primary mission profiles as defined by the AIAA RFP, each requiring a 700 nmi combat radius from carrier basing.

Primary Mission
Air-to-Air
Fleet Defense / CAP
Combat Radius 700 nmi
Max Takeoff Weight 42,567 lb
Fuel Weight 18,540 lb
Combat Loiter 2 min AB + 20 min

Weapons Loadout

6× AIM-120C AMRAAM
2× AIM-9X Sidewinder

Mission Phases

🚀
Launch
›
✈️
Cruise Out
›
⚔️
Combat
›
↩️
Return
›
🛬
Recovery
Secondary Mission
Strike
Deep Strike / CAS
Combat Radius 700 nmi
Max Takeoff Weight 52,112 lb
Fuel Weight 18,276 lb
Weapons Payload 7,600 lb

Weapons Loadout

4× MK-83 JDAM (1,000 lb)
2× AIM-9X Sidewinder

Mission Phases

🚀
Launch
›
✈️
Cruise Out
›
💣
Weapons Drop
›
↩️
Egress
›
🛬
Recovery

Developed as part of the AIAA Aircraft Design Competition, AE 460A/B at San Diego State University. Team ALEBORNE conducted a full conceptual design study — from mission analysis and initial sizing through aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and life-cycle cost estimation — delivering a complete aircraft design ready for preliminary design phase.

7 Team Members
10+ Technical Memos
2025 AIAA Competition
SDSU San Diego State Univ.

The People Behind It

Team ALEBORNE

Seven aerospace engineering students at San Diego State University, collaborating across all aircraft design disciplines.

MO
Maxwell O'Neill
Aerodynamics
SDSU · AE 460
EB
Etan Barichievich
Propulsion
SDSU · AE 460
IP
Ian Plant
Structures
SDSU · AE 460
WP
William Peterson
Weights & Balance
SDSU · AE 460
BS
Bryce Sullins
Performance
SDSU · AE 460
BT
Benjamin Torres
Landing Gear & Systems
SDSU · AE 460
LH
Luke Horton
Empennage & Layout
SDSU · AE 460