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The Next Level in Educational Drone Competitions

The RECF ADC Pro drone competition provides students with the opportunity to increase awareness and interest in drone technology, industry applications, and career paths in drone and aviation applications.
Teams compete at an ADC Pro event.
Teams compete at an ADC Pro event.
Teams compete at an ADC Pro event.
Teams compete at an ADC Pro event.

Build Drone-Related Skills

Learn about drones, precision flight principles, engineering design and communication skills while building interest for drone-related workforce and career opportunities.

A Higher Level of Competition

A higher level of competition with opportunities for mechanical design, 3D printing and advanced computer programming tasks.

Coordinate Strategies

Teams will compete using multiple drone vehicles and a land vehicle to work together and coordinate strategies against their opponents.

ADC Pro Updates

Want the latest Aerial Drone Competition Pro news, tips, and updates? Click the button below to request more information.

Support ADC Pro

We have opportunities for organizations in the drone and aviation industry to support students in our drone competitions. To learn more, email us at the link below.

Brand Guidelines

RECF's ADC Pro Brand Guidelines ensure we present ourselves consistently to our audiences.

Quick Facts

High School Students: Ages 13+
Recommended Team Size: 3-6

Competition Vehicles:

  • MINDS-i Competition Drone Kit
  • CoDrone EDU
  • MINDS-i Competition Robot (Or Equivalent)

Season Timeline

February 2026

Team Registration Opens & Game Reveal

March - July 2026

Early Season Scrimmages

August - December 2026

Fall Qualifying Events & Fall Regional Championship

January - May 2027

Spring Qualifying Events & Spring Regional Championship

New

ADC Pro will offer a Fall and Spring Season using the 2026-2027 Game to provide additional flexibility. Teams that register for the ADC Pro 2026-2027 season are eligible to compete in one or both seasons.

Competition Overview

Teamwork
Mission
Two Alliances composed of two Teams each, compete to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance in matches on a divided field using the MINDS-i Competition Drone and Land Vehicle.
Autonomous
Flight Mission
The CoDrone EDU drone and the Land Vehicle are programmed by students to operate entirely autonomously. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.
Piloting
Mission
The CoDrone EDU drone is piloted by students to fly through an obstacle course. Each team competes alone to score as many points as possible.
Communications
Mission
Teams interview with Judges about their Drone, Programming and Competition Notebook.

Accessible

Student-Centered Learning & Application
Educational Curriculum
Workforce Development Resources

Sustainable

Affordable Team Registrations and Competition Equipment
Reuse Competition Vehicles in Future Seasons
Become an Event Partner and Host a Competition to Fund Your Competition Program

Estimated Program Costs

The ADC Pro program costs below are estimates to assist teams in budgeting for the upcoming season. Team Registration will be similar to the other REC Foundation Programs ($200 per team) and Event Registrations will be at the discretion of the Event Partner (~$50 - $100 per team).
Teams may also want to budget additional funds for spare parts, 3D Printing supplies, and event registrations.
Competition Vehicles & Field Equipment
Cost
Purchase from Distributors
$1,350 *
Available now
$249 *
Available now
* Note: Prices are estimates only and subject to change. Shipping charges are extra.

Competition Vehicles

Minds I Drone

Custom kit developed for the ADC Pro competition. Kit includes assembly and programming curriculum. Used in the Teamwork Matches.

CoDrone EDU Drone
Ready-to-fly, programmable drone utilized in the Piloting and Autonomous Skills Matches.
MINDS I Robot

Custom kit designed to provide a starting point for a land vehicle design. Kit includes assembly and programming curriculum. Used in the Teamwork Matches & Autonomous Skills Matches (The 2026-27 Game Manual will include legal specifications for the land vehicle that will allow teams to utilize other options, if desired).

2025-2026 Signature Event Updates

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x 8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.
Crowd watches the Signature Event in Minnesota's Mall of America
VEX Robotics World Championship logo