Raytheon Quadcopter National Finals
The Raytheon Quadcopter Challenge is a national STEM competition that invites students to design, build, programme, and fly their own quadcopter. Each team must also deliver a technical presentation explaining their engineering process, and how their quadcopter was modified to provide support for a local hero. Our team designed their drone to support search and rescue teams, adding a thermal imaging camera, yellow and red theming, and white LEDs. They developed their use of CAD/CAM to design and manufacture additional parts, such as new arms and legs. The competition brings together the best young engineers in the country and encourages creativity, teamwork, and resilience.
Out of 213 teams that began at Stage 1, only the top 14 teams in the UK advanced to the National Finals. These finalists represented schools from England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, making our team’s qualification a remarkable achievement in itself.
On the day, our students performed brilliantly. Their flying was skilled and confident, demonstrating impressive control and innovation in each challenge. An early crash could have derailed their progress, but instead it showcased the team’s outstanding teamwork. They carried out calm, efficient repairs, working together with determination and technical expertise.
Their engineering presentation was equally impressive—clear, confident, and highly professional. The judges praised their understanding of the design process and their collaborative approach throughout the competition.
While the team narrowly missed out on finishing in the top three, reaching the national finals of a competition of this scale is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one the students should feel immensely proud of.
We congratulate the entire team on their hard work, resilience and ingenuity. They have represented both the school and our region superbly in this milestone 10th anniversary year of the Raytheon Quadcopter Challenge.
In addition to the competition itself, students also took part in a series of inspiring career talks, highlighting the wide range of pathways available within engineering. Speakers discussed both university routes and the many apprenticeship opportunities within the sector, demonstrating just how varied and rewarding a future in engineering can be.
One of the standout talks was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Karl Eze, founder of the British Army Drone Support Association. He introduced students to the world of drone racing, explaining how drones can reach incredible speeds of 100mph with a 0–60 acceleration of just 0.3 seconds. He also shared insight into the tactical support drones can offer on the battlefield, giving students a fascinating glimpse into cutting-edge engineering applications.
We hope that experiences like this competition will inspire students to consider a future in STEM. Students currently in Year 7 and Year 8 will have the opportunity to take part in next year’s Raytheon Quadcopter Challenge, which begins in the summer term, so keep an eye out for posters and announcements closer to the time.
Mr S Norris
STEM Leader KSHS/Carre’s
