CSU – California Unmanned Aerial Systems Competition (C-UASC)
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), and the Mojave Air & Space Port will host the 2nd annual C-UASC at the Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field on June 7, 2025.
DATES & DEADLINES
| DATE | ACTION |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2024 | Pre-Registration Available Email [email protected] to join our mailing list for competition information and access to the sponsored design software. |
| January 1, 2025 | Registration Opens Team information and paperwork are collected. |
| March 30, 2025 | Registration Closes |
| April 30, 2025 | Design Competition Submission Deadline |
| June 7, 2025 | Flight Competition @ Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field |
HOTEL
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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
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.
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].
Rules for the 2025 competition will be posted soon.
UAV Workshops
Workshop announcement: Competition Sponsors PTC (Onshape) and ComQuest Ventures (SIMNET) have put together a short video describing the workflow from designing a model aircraft to preparing the CAD for 3D printing.
Drone Design Software
The C-UASC and C-3DPAC competitions are happy to let everyone know that ComQuest Ventures LLC will provide SIMNET: Drone Design and Simulation Powered by the Cloud software to qualified teams registering for our competitions!
SIMNET is an advanced web-based platform for drone design, simulation, and pilot training. It delivers a unique set of multidisciplinary analysis tools encompassing aerodynamics, mass, and performance estimation, alongside flight simulation, to accelerate the systems-level design of multicopter, fixed-wing, and VTOL drones. Learn more at www.simnet.aero
To register your team for a sponsored license, please follow the steps below.
Our Partner
We thank our host and partner, Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan Field.
Our Sponsor
We are grateful to our generous sponsor, Terra-Gen Operating Company, for making this event possible.
Contact Mike Thorburn, ECST Capstone Director, at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.
Special Thanks
Special Thanks: Scaled Composites, LLC Stratolaunch, Virgin Galactic for their support, our student, staff, and faculty volunteers, and photography by Nicole Altman, Kurt Sawitskas, and Natalie Leonnig Photos
| CATEGORY | 1ST PLACE | 2ND PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Innovation Competition | IIT-Bombay | San Diego State |
| Flight Competition | San Diego State | n/a |
Acknowledgment
Acknowledgment for participation: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, San Diego State University, East Los Angeles College, California State University Bakersfield, California State University, Los Angeles, and Fullerton College
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]