UAH to host Southeast Aerial Drone Competition Regional Championship April 17–18 for middle and high school students
The University of Alabama in Huntsville will host the Southeast Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) Regional Championship April 17–18 at Spragins Hall on the UAH campus.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, will host the Southeast Aerial Drone Competition (ADC) Regional Championship April 17–18 at Spragins Hall on the UAH campus. The event will bring middle and high school students from across the Southeast to Huntsville to compete in a series of team-based aerial drone challenges designed to test their technical knowledge, piloting skills and problem-solving abilities. Participants will apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles in real-world scenarios, demonstrating both engineering design and flight operations expertise.
The regional event is hosted by UAH’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center (RSESC), a research center focused on advancing innovation in aerospace systems and autonomous technologies. By serving as the site of the Southeast Regional Championship, UAH continues to strengthen its role as a leader in STEM education and workforce development, while connecting university research and expertise with K-12 outreach initiatives.
“At RSESC, we view the Southeast Aerial Drone Competition as an investment in the future of uncrewed systems, robotics and the STEM workforce,” says Justin Kumor, a principal research engineer at RSESC and UAH lead organizer of the competition. “Hosting this event reflects our commitment to developing talent, expanding opportunity and strengthening the partnerships that drive innovation.”
The championship is sanctioned by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF), the governing body for the Aerial Drone Competition. The public is encouraged to attend and watch the competition, and admission is free.
Student teams must qualify at a REC Foundation–sanctioned qualifying event during the 2025–2026 season in order to compete. Participating teams represent middle and high schools from across the Southeast region, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The ADC is a STEM-focused, hands-on experience in which student teams compete in four distinct missions designed to assess technical proficiency, teamwork and problem-solving skills:
- Teamwork Mission: Two teams work together in a timed match to score points collaboratively on a field designed for strategic drone operations.
- Piloting Skills Mission: An individual team pilots a drone through an obstacle course, scoring points for precision, timing and execution.
- Autonomous Flight Skills Mission: Teams program their drones to fly autonomously, completing tasks without manual control and earning points for successful autonomous operations.
- Communications Mission: Teams interview with judges and explain their work, design decisions, programming logic and logbook documentation — demonstrating both technical understanding and communication skills.
Volunteers needed
UAH is seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteers play an essential role in the success of the Aerial Drone Competition, with several opportunities available for individuals of all experience levels. Field Reset volunteers support match operations by accurately resetting the competition field after each round and assisting the Field Manager or Head Referee as needed. This high-energy, physically active role is ideal for enthusiastic participants who can follow field diagrams, move efficiently and respond to direction.
Inspectors help ensure fair play by verifying that drones meet competition rules and specifications using a provided checklist. This moderate-activity role requires attention to detail, teamwork and the ability to follow established guidelines. No prior experience is required for either position, and training will be provided prior to the event.
The volunteer registration deadline is April 12. Students, faculty staff and community members are encouraged to participate. Those interested may register by filling out the ADC Volunteer Registration Form.
