British Army drone racing competition held in Colchester

The 1st (UK) Division event, held at the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium, showcased the flying skills of soldiers trained in First Person View (FPV) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).

These FPV UAS, used effectively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, provide precision strike capabilities on the battlefield.

'The flying skills learnt through drone racing will be a key skill on the Army’s next battlefield' (Image: LBdr Mills, British Army)

The competition last Tuesday saw soldiers and aviators manoeuvre through a challenging indoor course, navigating obstacles at speed.

The British Military Drone Racing Team also competed against the Australian Defence Force team.

II Squadron RAF Regiment emerged victorious from the five military teams, while Australia claimed the international title.

Event organiser Maj James Metcalfe, of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: "This event is capability driven.

"The drone racing competition is a way to add momentum to our soldiers’ FPV training and to raise awareness of the capability across the Army.

"It allows our soldiers to develop and test the skills that they need to fly these drones in an operational setting.

"The soldiers competing have only had the equipment for a few months, but the speed and precision of their flying is already impressive, and the enthusiasm and competitiveness is as strong as you would expect."

The FPV UAS training is being delivered by the jHub Drone Academy as part of Project Lewes, which aims to integrate new technologies into its existing forces to improve lethality (Image: LBdr Mills, British Army)

Pvt Blake Summerville, who raced for 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, added: "Competing against others gives you an idea of your own skills – and I feel that I am at a good level for the time that I’ve been flying.

"To see pilots who’ve been flying for years and the speed and agility they’ve got was impressive, and inspiring.

"The pilot is in total control of an FPV, and you have to understand how the drone banks when it turns and be more precise in use of the controls.

"It is quite hard to learn, and it takes a lot of time to build your experience and muscle memory."

The event also showcased UAS and counter-UAS technology currently in service with the British Army, as well as the latest technology from the industry.

The flying skills learned through drone racing are seen as a key skill for the Army’s future battlefields.