MUAS Represents Monash at NFC 2025 in Hamburg

MUAS Team

Monash Uncrewed Aerial Systems (MUAS) has wrapped up its 2025 campaign with a strong showing at the New Flying Competition (NFC) in Hamburg, placing 6th out of eight competing teams.

While 12 teams submitted design reports and registered, only eight were able to reach flight readiness, highlighting just how difficult it is to field a student-built aircraft at an international competition.

The Competition Experience

Across three demanding days, the MUAS team put their aircraft to the test:

  • Manoeuvre Flights
    Teams were challenged to navigate tight turns and high g-forces. A last-minute restriction to the flight area created unprecedented conditions for MUAS, forcing the aircraft into tighter turns than it had ever been tested for. On Wednesday, excess control authority caused the plane to fall out of the sky shortly after take-off. Overnight, the team executed a remarkable repair job that restored the aircraft to a safe and flyable state—earning praise from both judges and competitors. Thursday’s flight ended similarly, this time due to insufficient control authority for the tight manoeuvres required.
  • Endurance Flights
    While MUAS did not qualify for this final stage, the team spent the day learning from other aircraft, engaging with peers, and building valuable international connections.

Key Achievements

Despite the challenges, MUAS left Hamburg with significant milestones and accomplishments:

  • First International Competition
    This was MUAS’s first appearance at an international event, and the first competition the team has attended in seven years. Rebuilding after COVID-related disruptions and knowledge gaps, the team proved itself on a new global stage.
  • Resilience and Technical Skill
    After a crash from ~70 metres, the team restored the aircraft overnight to pass safety scrutiny and fly again—a feat that impressed both the judging panel and fellow competitors.
  • Collaborative Learning
    MUAS gained insights from other teams with extensive competition experience, particularly in the value of pursuing simpler, more reliable design solutions over complex custom components.
  • Positive Reputation
    The team made a strong impression on behalf of Monash University. Other competitors praised MUAS’s organisation, readiness, and willingness to help others. Consistently prepared well ahead of schedule, MUAS was recognised as a group with the culture and foundations to become a future high performer.

Looking Ahead

While the scoreboard tells only part of the story, MUAS considers NFC 2025 a resounding success. The campaign demonstrated the team’s resilience, adaptability, and strong culture, while laying the groundwork for future achievements.

MUAS returns to Monash with new knowledge, valuable international networks, and a renewed commitment to innovation and excellence in student-led aerospace engineering.

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