CSU – California Unmanned Aerial Systems Competition (C-UASC)
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), and the Mojave Air & Space Port host the annual C-UASC at the Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field.
Registration
Registration opens on November 1, 2025. Please download the registration application (coming soon), complete all fields, and email the finished form to [email protected]. You will receive an email confirming that your application was received.
DATES & DEADLINES
| DATE | ACTION |
|---|---|
| Anytime! | Email [email protected] to join our mailing list for competition information. |
| November 1, 2026 | Registration Opens Team information and paperwork are collected. |
| February 1, 2026 | Registration Closes |
| May 16, 2026 | Design Competition Submission Deadline |
| June 6-7, 2026 | Flight Competition @ Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field |
HOTEL: Click to see a list of nearby hotels. We don't have partnerships with these establishments, so please explore your options.
RULES & REQUIREMENTS
The competition steering committee (composed of faculty from across the CSU) works together to establish the rules and logistics for the competition. Please contact the organizer, Mike Thorburn, if you have any questions at [email protected].
Prizes
This competition comprises two parts: a flight competition and an innovative design competition. Each is judged and awarded independently a first and second prize.
Student Challenge
UAS Vehicle
Develop an Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) vehicle, either roto-copter or fixed wing, for:
- Autonomous flight
- Waypoint navigation
- Object detection, classification, localization
- Air deliver package at target
The C-UASC competition is designed to stimulate interest in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and to engage students in a challenging mission. The competition requires students to design, integrate, and demonstrate a UAS capable of autonomous flight and navigation and execution of a specific set of tasks. The vehicles may be fixed-wing, quadcopter, or other aero drones but not lighter-than-air vehicles.
Mission Tasks
The UAS must navigate a series of waypoints
The UAS will detect, classify and localize objects of interest
The UAS autonomously drops an undamaged payload object at a target position
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | IIT-Bombay Rakshak | Cornell CUAir |
| Flight Competition | Cal State LA Hexwing | Cornell CUAir |
Honorable mention flight competition: 3rd Place - Cal Poly Univ, 4th Place San Diego State.
This year's participating institutions: CSU Bakersfield, Cal Poly SLO, San Diego State, Cal State LA, Cornell Univ, IIT-Bombay
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | IIT-Bombay | San Diego State |
| Flight Competition | San Diego State | n/a |
This year's participating institutions: Cal State LA, IIT-Bombay, San Diego State
Competition Media
Relive the high-stakes action. See what it means to engineer beyond limits through photos, videos, and real stories.
MEDIA DISCLAIMER
When you attend a California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) event, you enter an area where photography, audio recording, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such media recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, and inclusion on websites. You further waive all rights you may have to any claims in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication.
Contact
For competition questions or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Mike Thorburn, Cal State LA, at [email protected]