These days, a video showing NPU students ‘hand-built’ drone achieving fast and precise airdrops has taken social media by storm, reaching a broad audience.
With its outstanding performance, the NPU Aeromodelling Team was crowned two championships at a top national competition!
From October 4th to 13th, 2025 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition was held at Moganshan Airport in Deqing, Zhejiang. Jointly organized by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA) and several universities, the competition is a comprehensive national event integrating aircraft design, control, and flight, serving as a key platform for innovation in aerospace science and technology among university students. Nearly 4,000 students and teachers from approximately 150 universities across China participated in this year’s competition.
Group Photo of the UAV Precision Airdrop Competition Teams
After nine days of intense competition, NPU's Aeromodelling Team clinched two heavyweight titles: they were crowned champion in the UAV Precision Airdrop event and secured the top spot in the overall team standings.
In addition, the team secured a total of 8 national awards, with two First Prizes, three Second Prizes, and three Third Prizes.
Group Photo of NPU Aeromodelling Team for the Time-Limited Payload Transport Event
On October 13, demonstrating remarkable composure and technical prowess, the Aeromodelling Team excelled in the UAV Precision Airdrop event. They calmly managed unexpected challenges, resolved issues swiftly, and executed their flights against the clock. Ultimately, they completed eight precise airdrops within the five-minute time limit, distinguishing them from a field of strong competitors.
The competition brought together outstanding innovative aviation teams from across the nation, creating an intensely competitive environment. Facing tremendous pressure throughout the event, the team conducted in-depth research and repeated flight tests specifically for the precision airdrop UAV project. Their systematic preparation enabled them to perform at their peak during the competition, fully demonstrating their capabilities. Ultimately, this exceptional team secured both the prevision airdrop UAV project championship and overall team championship in this prestigious event.
The aeromodelling team also delivered an outstanding performance in the Time-Limited Payload Transport Event in the national finals. Leveraging their unique design solutions and exceptional teamwork, they achieved commendable results of two Second Prizes and one Third Prize.
Comprising 61 members from 10 schools including aeronautics, astronautics, and navigation etc, NPU aeromodelling team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and teamwork throughout their nearly 200-day preparation. During this intensive period, particularly throughout the entire summer break, team members worked tirelessly day and night - often rising at 5:00 AM to conduct test flights at first light.
2025 China Universities Aircraft Design Competition served not merely as a technological contest, but as a dynamic convergence of youthful passion and ambitious dreams. The outstanding performance of NPU Aeromodelling Team has not only earned significant honors for the university but also infused new vitality into China's aeronautical development. The competition provides far more than a platform for showcasing engineering creativity and practical skills—it represents a crucial pathway for cultivating "Chief-Engineer-Type" talents. Through the comprehensive process of design, simulation, manufacturing, and flight testing, participants develop systems engineering thinking, interdisciplinary integration capabilities, teamwork spirit, and the ability to solve complex engineering problems, thereby establishing a solid foundation for becoming "Chief-Engineer-Type" talents.
(Text: NPU Aeromodelling Team; Video & Photos: NPU Aeromodelling Team; Reviewers: Zhao Chao, Ma Xiping; Translators: Yang Runze, Mei Leyun)
