AN international drone competition, dubbed Game of Drones, will return to Llanbedr this summer.

The competition, held between 16 and 18 June, has received backing from Welsh Government and will have a home team competing from Wrexham Glynd?r University.

The UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Challenge is an international student drone design competition organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

This year the event is attracting a record 32 teams comprising hundreds of young engineers from as far afield as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Canada, along with first timers from Denmark and the Netherlands.

The challenge is staged over three days in the spectacular Snowdonia Aerospace Centre at Llanbedr, part of the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone, and has been building popularity over the past five years.

Colin Brown, chief executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “We are delighted the Welsh Government has taken this opportunity to support the competition. The challenge brings leading-edge drone technology to north Wales, which will raise the area’s aerospace profile internationally and help develop the regional skills base.”

The event benefits from the excellent facilities and infrastructure at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, itself a well-known drone-testing site which creates a supportive environment for developing this cutting-edge technology, and which has the opportunity to form alliances with academic and industry partners taking part.

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