Loughborough University drone wins UAS Challenge 2016

Engineering students from Loughborough have beaten other undergraduate teams to be crowned overall winners of the Institution’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Challenge.

Now in its second year, the annual event encourages teams of undergraduates to undertake a full design and build cycle of a UAS with specific mission objectives – before competing in a final ‘fly-off’ and judging.

On winning the competition, which took place on 6 and 7 July 2016, Loughborough University Team Leader Alex Taylor said: “We’re delighted to have won this year’s challenge.

“It's been extremely rewarding to be a part of such a talented and motivated team. I've learnt an awful lot and gained hugely valuable experience that I will take forward with me through my career.”

Alistair Cowin, Chief Judge of the UAS Challenge, said: “The challenge helps students learn practical aerospace engineering skills for industry, prepare aerospace engineering students for industry employment and encourages links between industry and universities.

“It’s a great event and a great opportunity for people to meet the next generation of engineers and see what they’re capable of. This year has been a major step forward.”

Lambert Dopping-Hepenstal, Deputy Chief Judge of the UAS Challenge, said of the winning team: “Loughborough University were consistent in every single category and have definitely raised the bar. They performed particularly well in the design and manufacturing categories which set them up well for the rest of the competition. They are deserving winners and I look forward to seeing them back again next year.”

The competition bridges the gap between academia and industry in developing applied UAS-related activities, giving students the perfect opportunity to strengthen links with industry and enhance employment opportunities.

The final results of the competition saw Loughborough University crowned as overall grand champions. Winners of the other categories were:

• Design – Loughborough University
• Innovation – University of Southampton (2)
• Most Viable Business Proposition – University of Sheffield
• Safety and Airworthiness – University of Southampton (4)
• Autonomous/Automatic Operations – University of Southampton (2)
• Manufacturing – Loughborough University
• Viable Operational System – University of Loughborough
• Environmentally friendly – University of Glasgow
• Most Promise – University of Glasgow

Find out more about the UAS Challenge.