Skyway Range, the premier test range operated by Osage LLC, has been selected as the official host site for the RoboNation’s 2026 Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) Competition, one of the nation’s largest annual unmanned aerial systems competitions for university and high performing high school students. The event will be held September 14-17, 2026.

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Skyway Range, the premier test range operated by Osage LLC, has been selected as the official host site for the RoboNation’s 2026 Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) Competition, one of the nation’s largest annual unmanned aerial systems competitions for university and high performing high school students.

The annual competition draws hundreds of students, faculty, and industry leaders from across the United States and abroad to design, build, and fly autonomous aerial systems through complex real-world mission challenges. By hosting the event, Skyway Range will serve as the national stage for the next generation of innovators shaping the future of autonomous flight.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Skyway Range and the Osage Nation,” said Russell Goff, CEO of Osage LLC. “The decision to bring this competition here aligns with the Nation’s commitment to advancing UAS research, development, and manufacturing in the region. We’re proud to welcome these students and educators to Skyway Range and hope to use this platform to inspire the next generation of innovators within our native communities and throughout the world.”

Skyway Range, located in northeastern Oklahoma, provides a uniquely equipped environment for testing and demonstration of uncrewed and autonomous aircraft systems. The facility integrates 1,200 square miles of diverse outdoor environments with WindShape’s state-of-the-art indoor controlled environment testing facility.

“RoboNation is proud to partner with Skyway Range and the Osage Nation to bring the SUAS Competition to Oklahoma for the first time,” said Daryl Davidson, President and CEO of RoboNation. “RoboNation is committed to building the skilled workforce required for an increasingly autonomous world; to do this, we are focused on bridging education and industry through real, mission-driven experience. The SUAS Competition serves as a proving ground where emerging engineers confront real-world engineering demands, mission planning, and operational constraints.”

Bringing the event to Skyway Range elevates this standard even further. Students will operate in a national-level test environment, gaining exposure to advanced unmanned flight capabilities and research infrastructure. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to workforce development by engaging the next generation who will define the future of autonomous systems.

The 2026 RoboNation SUAS Competition is expected to draw more than 70 University and High School teams from across the world. Additional details, including registration information and event logistics, can be found at https://suas-competition.org.

About Osage LLC

Osage LLC is a division of the Osage Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribal government with headquarters in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Established in 2008 to build economic prosperity for the Nation and its people, Osage LLC serves as an economic driver for the Osage Nation, identifying and cultivating long-term strategic partnerships that enhance their effectiveness in expanding the economic footprint of the Osage Nation. For more information, visit osagellc.com

About Skyway Range

Skyway Range operates a 1,200-square-mile beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) uncrewed flight test range originally developed in partnership with Osage LLC, Oklahoma State University, and Tulsa Innovation Labs. With 4 droneports and diverse testing conditions in both rural and urban settings, Skyway Range has become a cornerstone of the nation's uncrewed aircraft infrastructure. For more information, visit skywayrange.com.

About RoboNation

RoboNation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to hands-on robotics and STEM education. Their mission is to provide a pathway of real-world educational experiences that empower students to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. Through a diverse portfolio of robotics programs—spanning K-12 to university levels and including underwater, surface, aerial and ground domains—they engage learners in building, testing and competing with advanced systems. By linking students, educators and industry, RoboNation helps prepare the next generation of engineers, makers and leaders in technology. For more information, visit https://robonation.org.

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