Military Personnel Competed in International Drone Tournament
Service members from Team USA gathered in England to test tactical drone skills and share operational knowledge.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Team USA members consisting of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines participated in the Military International Drone Racing Tournament. Held at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the event served as a collaborative platform for military personnel to refine tactical drone maneuvers.
Why it matters
The competition allowed international participants to evaluate offensive and defensive drone capabilities while fostering a cross-service exchange of operational experience. Insights gained from the event are intended to be applied directly within the home units of the participating service members.
The Military International Drone Racing Tournament was held over a five-day period from Sept. 14-18, 2026. Participants like Lt. Col. Kendall Smith have spent over 10 years developing their drone-building experience.
The players
Lt. Col. Kendall Smith
He is a military officer who has been building and flying drones as a hobby since 2015.
Tech. Sgt. Sky Dalrymple
He is an airman based at RAF Alconbury who has been involved with drone technology since 2013.
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
It is the primary officer training center for the British Army and served as the host site for the tournament.
The details
Pilots navigated drones through complex racing gates and dropped simulated payloads while wearing first-person-view goggles. Teams operated under a pilot-and-spotter coordination system designed to manage flight paths and maintain situational awareness during navigation.
Timeline
Tech. Sgt. Sky Dalrymple began building and flying drones in 2013.
Lt. Col. Kendall Smith began working with drones in 2015.
The competition occurred at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from Sept. 14-18, 2026.
Market Landscape
This event reflects a broader industry shift toward integrating unmanned aerial systems into standard military training. By normalizing drone competition as a form of professional development, the military is rapidly professionalizing its drone-operator talent pool against evolving global threats.
The integration of drone tactical knowledge into military service suggests that specialized robotics skills will become increasingly standardized for service members. This shift may create more opportunities for personnel with drone-flight experience to advance within their respective branches.
The takeaway
The event highlights that drone proficiency is evolving from a niche hobby into a core tactical requirement for modern armed forces. Service members can benefit from seeking out similar cross-service training opportunities to remain competitive in an increasingly automated operational landscape.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Army.
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