Our Crowdfunding Groups
Our crowdfunding campaign has ended, but you can still support Uncrewed Aerial Systems by clicking here.
We are Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS@UCLA), and we make drones that fly themselves. This summer, we will be competing in the world's largest autonomous drone competition, the SUAS Competition in Maryland, where we will be going up against the best student drone teams from around the globe. This will be our sixth year competing, and this time, we’re aiming to come out on top.
In this competition, our mission is to deliver vital packages. Our drone must be efficient: flying for over 12 miles in a single mission. Our drone must be perceptive: locating targets on the ground and avoiding airborne obstacles. And our drone must be fast: completing all these objectives accurately in under half an hour.
However, as excited as we are to overcome these challenges, we can’t do it alone. Our success depends on you!
Attempt number two for our soaring drone.
Last time you heard from us, we were trying to build our first ever fixing wing drone, our most efficient drone yet. Then COVID-19 happened and unfortunately, we couldn’t finish building the fixed wing drone virtually. We fortunately found other really cool projects: we built a massive gas-hybrid drone and a multi-drone rigid-swarm system, and learned many new things along the way.
Now, we’re back to tackle the fixed wing drone. The drone we’re hoping to build has a hefty price tag, but no contribution is too small! Every dollar will get us closer to our drone taking to the skies.
About UAS@UCLA
As a student-run, student-led team, we are a diverse organization of various engineering disciplines from all years including transfer students which provides an opportunity for each of our members to be engaged in and learn in a multi-disciplinary team. We want to get the UCLA community excited and educated about drones and the vast applications associated with autonomous technology.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS
Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.
Help to jump-start our fundraising! With a donation of $5, you can provide us with a set of jumper cables and get your name or company proudly listed on a donor wall located on the UAS website. (fully tax-deductible)
A contribution of $25 will supply us with a roll of Monokote, the material necessary to cover and protect the exterior of our drone. To show our gratitude for sticking with us, you’ll also receive a sticker with the UAS logo. (tax-deductible donation of $24)
Loading in progress! You can help cover the costs of our delivery at competition with just a donation of $50. In return, you’ll receive a quality custom-made “Remove Before Flight” tag that also displays the UAS logo. (tax-deductible donation of $48)
Step up with an amazing donation of $100, enough to power the mechanics of our drone with powerful stepper motors, and receive a mini 3D model of our competition plane to be flown in June. A token of our appreciation, and a unique representation of what your contributions will help us create. (tax-deductible donation of $99)
The glue that holds our team together may be free, but the drones definitely aren’t. A contribution of $310 is enough to cover the cost of fast-hardening epoxy necessary to hold it together. In return, our team will make a personalized video thanking you for your contribution. (fully tax-deductible)
With a generous donation of $500, not only can we take control of our flight with a flight computer and GPS, but we can also take you with us! Have your name or company printed on the final drone and be proudly displayed at the competition. (fully tax-deductible)
Help take us to the competition by donating the amount needed to cover our team's transportation costs, and we'll take you to the airfield with us to see the test flight of the final competition drone. A once in a lifetime chance to see our dreams take flight with your support. (fully tax-deductible)
The most important cost we have, registration for the competition, is also one of the heftiest. A contribution of $1,500 is enough to mitigate this cost and successfully deliver us into the competition ranks. You'll receive a nifty delivery of your own, with a personal cookie delivery to your doorstep by one of our drone pilots. (tax-deductible donation of $1,485)