Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Skill Competition
Empowering the Next Generation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Innovators
The WorldSkills Unmanned Aerial Systems competition brings together competitors from around the world to explore, build, and compete using real unmanned aerial technology. Designed for schools, training centers, and countries looking to expand their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, this skill area teaches the technical, industrial, and operational foundations of modern drone systems.
Studica Robotics is proud to support this growing field with the WS500 (ES500) UAV Educational Kit, purpose-built for learning, teaching, and competition.
What Is an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)?
Unmanned Aerial Systems are rapidly emerging across a wide range of military, societal, agricultural, and environmental applications. They play important roles in:
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Within engineering design and development, a UAS Technician builds, installs, tests, and maintains UAS equipment using a combination of mechanical, electronic, and computer engineering skills.
Who Can Compete in a WorldSkills UAS Competition?
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Competitors may come from a variety of technical sectors, including:
Every member country may enter 1 competitor for this skill. Competitors must not be older than 22 in the year of the competition and must conduct themselves in an honest and honorable manner |
Before the competition begins, each competitor receives the test project, explanatory material, and assessment instructions.
Note: The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 UAS Skill Competition is full.
Sign up now to join the next event!
Required Competition Equipment
These items must be purchased from Studica Robotics or an authorized partner:
- Educational Drone Kit (1 per competitor) studica.co/uav500-quadcopter-kit
- VTOL Drone (1 per skill for scenario assessment) – WSVTOL Kit | Studica Robotics
- Commercial Drone (Agricultural, Delivery, Hydroelectric – for scenario assessment) – WS5100 UAV Agritech Kit | Studica Robotics
About the Studica WS500 UAV Quadcopter Kit
The Studica WS500 UAV Quadcopter Kit is a lightweight, robust open UAV platform designed specifically for education and training.
It includes:
- WS500 EDU Frame Kit
- Motors, ESCs, and integrated power distribution
- CubePilot flight controller with Raspberry Pi 5 companion
- Optical flow and distance sensor module with 6-axis IMU
- ToF 3D depth camera with custom mount
- T-mini Plus lidar for obstacle avoidance and advanced navigation
All required installation tools are included.
Battery Note:
Battery not included. We recommend a 4S 5200mAh+ XT60 LiPo or similar.'
How Studica Robotics Supports UAS Education
Studica partners with schools, training programs, and national organizations by providing:
- Equipment, curriculum resources, and customized training
- Practice modules and skill set examples
- Support for test project development based on real-world applications
- Assistance in organizing regional and national competitions
- A series of hybrid skill challenges for international teams preparing for WorldSkills
WorldSkills Occupational Standards for UAS
The WSOS defines the knowledge and skills that represent global best practice in UAS-related performance. Competitors should understand:
- Work organization and management
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Assembly, repair, and maintenance of UAS/RPAS
- UAS setup, programming, and operation
- Manual flight demonstrations and emergency procedures
- Autonomous flight planning and demonstrations
- Advanced piloting and embedded vision systems
- See the complete desciption here - https://worldskills.org/what/projects/wsos/2026/events/611/skills/2698/
UAS Assessment & Test Project Modules
Throughout the competition, participants complete several modules, including:
- Assembling the UAS + Manual Flight Test
Build and test a quadcopter using the provided kit. - Drone Diagnostics & Repair
Troubleshoot and recommend repairs using industry-based scenarios. - Autonomous Programming & Flight Planning
Complete mission planning, execution, and documentation. - Advanced Piloting & Vision Skills
Utilize advanced sensors and embedded vision systems. - Drone Prototyping, Modeling & Mounting
Design and manufacture a replacement part, enhancement, or add-on. - Operational Challenges
Demonstrate UAS capabilities through real-world flight scenarios.
Ready to Get Involved?
Here’s how to join the competition:
- Visit worldskills.org/get-involved/how-compete
- Select your country to view your member organization contact
- Email them to express your interest in joining the Unmanned Aerial Systems Skill
- Note: WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is now full
- You can reserve your spot to compete at WorldSkills Asia 2027
- You may also host your own regional or national UAS competition
- View Skill P07: Unmanned Aerial Systems information deck