The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River has launched the Navy’s Next Jet Competition 2026, inviting K-12 students in Southern Maryland’s St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties to design futuristic jet aircraft and spark interest in STEM and Naval Aviation careers.
The competition opens for submissions on February 16, 2026, with entries due by March 13, 2026. Students in grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 can participate individually or in teams of up to five, with teacher or organizational supervision for classroom groups. Designs must include a cover page with project details, an executive summary outlining the design overview and key features, detailed specifications such as dimensions and performance characteristics, and visual representations like drawings, digital renderings, or models. Submissions are electronic via a Google Form at https://forms.gle/Fqw5xJRPpM84Gz8L6, in PDF, JPEG, or PNG formats.
NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Todd Evans emphasized the event’s role in building future talent: “America’s naval air superiority is forged in Southern Maryland thanks to the aviation pros who call this region home. The Navy’s Next Jet Competition is our commitment to helping its next generation of talent take flight.”
A panel of Naval Aviation experts will judge entries on creativity, feasibility, innovation, and theme adherence. One winner per grade category—elementary, middle, and high school—will receive a guided tour of a NAWCAD squadron at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, including close-up aircraft views, meetings with test pilots, and flight simulator access. Top designs will appear in an exhibit at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and during the station’s 2026 air show. Winning concepts may also feature on official Naval Aviation channels as honorary ideas.
The initiative aligns with NAWCAD’s mission to support test, evaluation, research, development, and sustainment of Navy and Marine Corps aviation platforms. Headquartered at Patuxent River with sites in St. Inigoes, Maryland; Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Orlando, Florida, NAWCAD employs military, civilian, and contract personnel across test ranges and laboratories. This competition builds on the region’s deep ties to naval aviation, where Patuxent River serves as the Navy’s principal aircraft test center.
Southern Maryland schools frequently engage in STEM outreach tied to local naval facilities, such as math competitions and community college advocacy efforts that highlight workforce development in science and technology fields. The program encourages detailed thinking about jet elements like cockpit layout, propulsion systems, avionics, performance metrics (speed, range, maneuverability), and specialized equipment, fostering practical engineering concepts alongside imaginative design.
Participants grant the Navy a non-exclusive license to use submissions for promotional and educational purposes, while retaining personal ownership. Inquiries go to NAWCAD’s Strategic Education Office at NAWCAD_PAXR_StrategicEducationOffice@us.navy.mil. Full rules, criteria, and the submission form are available at https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad/Navys-Next-Jet-Competition-2026.
This annual effort underscores Patuxent River’s commitment to inspiring local youth, channeling regional pride in aviation heritage into hands-on innovation that could influence future naval capabilities.