(JACKSON, Miss.) — JSU students will take to the air in the third annual Raytheon Technologies Drone Showcase competition on Saturday, April 15, at the Maverick Stadium on The University of Texas at Arlington campus. The competition will be the first appearance for JSU students in the national showcase since its inception.

“We are excited to be one of the schools representing the Mississippi Region in the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) University Innovation Showcase. This competition allows students to demonstrate their creativity and innovation in developing a UAS system that can solve real-world problems,” said Jacqueline Jackson, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science at JSU.

During the competition, student-built drones will use camera and infrared-based sensors to disable other school’s ground vehicles while protecting their own unmanned ground vehicles. Students will apply project management and problem-solving skills toward open-ended tasks in an industrial environment. 

The JSU student team is comprised of scholars from various engineering departments within the college, which includes: 

● Craig Heidelberg, a senior computer engineering major 

● Jeston Hale, a sophomore computer science major 

● Tynaria Moore, a senior biomedical engineering major 

● Keishawn Hunt, a senior computer engineering major 

● J’Quan Mayes, a senior electrical engineering major

“Events like the Raytheon Technologies Drone Showcase help develop the next generation of engineering talent by pairing students with industry mentors and offering opportunities for undergraduates to put into practice what they have been learning in the classroom,” said Willy Schweikert, vice president of engineering and technical director at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. ‘”Over the past three years, my organization has worked closely with UTA to pair students with Raytheon Technologies mentors to help them prepare for the competition and a rewarding career after graduation.”