Skyway Range Selected as Host Site for 2026 RoboNation Student Unmanned Aerial Systems Competition

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2025--

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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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.

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.

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.

In a matter of hours Sunday, what had appeared to be a year no teams with losing records would be needed to fill out the bowl schedule suddenly changed when Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State announced they would decline bids despite being eligible.

There are 41 bowls this year, and 82 teams won the necessary six games to be eligible. But Iowa State and Kansas State teams going through coaching changes almost simultaneously said they were hanging up their cleats for the season. Notre Dame, the first team left out of the College Football Playoff, followed a few hours later.

Mississippi State and Rice, both 5-7, swooped in to accept bids because they were among the first in line based on their Academic Progress Rate. The Bulldogs will play Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Owls will face Texas State in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Birmingham Bowl was still searching Sunday evening for an opponent to play Georgia Southern, according to On3.

Iowa State, Kansas State and Notre Dame weren't going to play in any of those lower-level bowls, but their decisions altered the order of selections and presumably allowed three lesser teams to move up and bowls at the bottom to scramble.

Notre Dame's decision to shut down for the year came after it was announced as the first team left out of the playoff.

“As a team, we've decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season,” the Fighting Irish said in a statement on social media. “We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”

Notre Dame won its last 10 games following a three-point loss to Miami and a one-point loss to Texas A&M. The Fighting Irish, which lost to Ohio State in the national championship game last season, finished 10-2 and ranked No. 9 on Sunday in The Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the CFP rankings.

Miami got into the playoff as an at-large selection after moving from No. 12 to No. 10 in the final rankings. Notre Dame dropped a spot and will now stay home for the postseason for the first time since 2016.

The Big 12 Conference said it will fine Iowa State and Kansas State $500,000 each for opting out of bowl participation. Both schools are going through coaching transitions with Matt Campbell leaving Iowa State for Penn State and Chris Klieman announcing his retirement.

“While the conference acknowledges the difficult timing around coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for fulfilling its contractual obligations to its bowl partners,” the Big 12 said in a statement.

Iowa State announced its players voted to not play in a bowl because the team doesn't have healthy players to safety practice and play. ISU did not mention the coaching change from Campbell to Jimmy Rogers in its statement.

The Cyclones sustained numerous injuries this season while going 8-4, and members of the athletics administration and the previous coaching staff met Sunday with the players to gauge their interest in a bowl.

“The administrative staff and coaches respect and support the players decision,” athletic director Jamie Pollard said. “Our student-athletes have had an incredible season and we are grateful for their leadership as we worked through this process with them today.”

K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said he had conversations with players and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark before deciding to decline a bowl bid. The Wildcats were 6-6 after beating Colorado at home in their final home game.

“This decision was not taken lightly, but with our coaching staff transition and several uncertainties regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to try to field a team that was not representative of Kansas State University," Taylor said. "We applaud this group for fighting back from a 2-4 record to lead us to bowl eligibility yet again, and we are happy that our seniors were able to go out on top with a victory inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”

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Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to pass against the Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)