This repository provides high-fidelity synthetic flight missions, design metadata, and generative simulation code developed by DBbun LLC to support engineering teams in the 2026 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Lift Challenge.

The synthetic universe contains over 1,000 unique heavy-lift aircraft designs, each evaluated across 10 independent simulated missions, for a total of 10,000+ missions.

Every mission adheres to core challenge constraints including minimum payload, maximum empty mass, and time limits.

All vehicles are inspired by nine real animals known for superior lifting capability, maneuverability, and energy-efficient movement:

Harpy eagle, Golden eagle, Osprey, Albatross, Dragonfly, Bee, Bat, Cheetah, Tiger

These biological inspirations are converted into engineering traits that influence lift systems, structural design, control strategies, endurance, and mission performance.

The purpose of this project is to inspire teams, help them:

Make faster, more informed early-stage design decisions
Compare rotor architectures, mass distributions, and energy systems
Evaluate trade-offs before spending time and budget on hardware
Train autonomy and flight-control systems using realistic telemetry
Improve mission-specific performance tuning under weather uncertainty
Discuss and explore future lifting mechanisms that do not yet exist

All mission results are fully synthetic, generated by simulation engines designed by DBbun LLC.

Dataset Files

Three relational tables support complete mission analytics:

File	Description	Sample Size
`designs.csv`	Bio-inspired aircraft architecture parameters	~1,000 designs
`missions.csv`	One summary row per mission	~10,000 missions
`missions_timeseries.csv`	Time series telemetry	300–900 time steps per mission

These files can be joined via design_id and mission_id.

Source Code Availability

The full universe generator powering this dataset is provided:

🔗 Source Code Repository: (https://github.com/DBbun/dbbun-darpa-lift)

Teams are encouraged to:

Extend the mission physics model
Add new design variables, materials, or propulsion systems
Introduce fresh biological inspirations
Modify failure models and turbulence impacts
Re-generate larger universes tailored to internal ideas

The design of this repository is intentionally modular for rapid adaptation.

Bio-Inspired Trait Framework

Aircraft traits represent functional adaptations found in nature:

Animal	Natural Advantage	Engineering Translation
Harpy Eagle / Golden Eagle	Exceptional lifting of prey	High thrust density for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) heavy lifting
Osprey	Payload grasping and wind handling	Damped payload cradle and gust rejection
Albatross	Sustained long-range soaring	Cruise efficiency and glide-mode planning
Dragonfly	Agility in turbulent air	Multi-axis stabilization and quick recovery
Bee	Vortex-based hover	Hover power reduction and redundancy
Bat	Shape-shifting wings	Multi-mode control and adaptable flight envelope
Cheetah	Burst acceleration	Takeoff assistance and fast transitions
Tiger	Durable landing biomechanics	High shock-load landing capability

Trait combinations create unique, high-performance architectures.

Research and Challenge Applications

Design space exploration
Payload-efficiency benchmarking
Endurance vs. thrust trade-off studies
Stability and turbulence resilience assessment
Reinforcement learning and autonomy training
Energy budgeting and mission survivability analytics
Rapid prototyping of hypothetical future VTOL aircraft

The dataset enables teams to iterate quickly and reduce risk.

Contact & Entity Credentials

DBbun LLC
CAGE Code: 16VU3
UEI: QY39Y38E6WG8
Email: contact@dbbun.com
Website: https://dbbun.com/
SAM.gov SBA Profile: https://search.certifications.sba.gov/profile/QY39Y38E6WG8/16VU3

Citation

If your engineering work or research uses this dataset, please cite:

Kartoun, U. (2025). Synthetic Missions for the DARPA Lift Challenge. DBbun LLC.

License Terms

This dataset is provided exclusively for internal research and development by DARPA Lift Challenge participants.

Redistribution, sale, commercial use, or inclusion in non-DARPA external programs requires explicit written approval from DBbun LLC.

See LICENSE.md for full legal terms.

This simulator is an independent research project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by DARPA.

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