30th Annual Design/Build/Fly Competition

Check out the 2026-2027 Competition rules!

blue red and yellow intermodal containers

Mission Overview

The objective for this year is to design, build and test a UAV with a towed sensor, including delivery of the UAV, transportation of sensors in shipping containers, and surveillance by deploying, operating, and recovering a towed sensor.

Sensor is stowed inside shipping container and dropped twice on each of three sides from a max height of 60 inches. The sensor must remain fully intact and functional.

Timed completion of 3 competition laps, no payload, achievement of successful landing.

Completion of 5 laps as quickly as possible with sensor stowed inside shipping containers.

Deployment of the sensor by towline, followed by the completion of as many laps as possible in 5 minutes, during which the sensor lights must demonstrate different modes. Sensor must be re-stowed before the finish line.

Location

420 Westwood Plaza MAE BH SCC 2730D Los Angeles, CA 90095

Contacts

Organization: designbuildfly@g.ucla.edu