Cyclone has achieved a historic milestone as the first Malaysian team representing Universiti Sains Malaysia to qualify for the finals of the prestigious Fighter UAV competition at Teknofest 2024, held in Adana, Turkey. Out of 63 competing teams, they secured a spot among the top 34, marking an impressive accomplishment on the global stage.

The primary goal of the Fighter UAV competition is to simulate air-to-air combat scenarios among UAVs in a controlled environment. This initiative not only challenges participants technically but also aims to inspire and guide young individuals toward relevant fields, equipping them with valuable experience and honing their skills for future success.

The journey to the finals was anything but easy for the Cyclone team. They navigated three rigorous stages over eight months before earning their finalist status. During the final evaluation, the team was assessed in two main areas: the testing phase and the flight test. In the testing phase, they had to pass several critical assessments, including mechanical, communication, and radio frequency tests. The flight test involved executing three major missions: safe zone mode, UAV tracking, and a kamikaze mission.

This remarkable journey would not have been possible without the incredible sponsors and supporters: the School of Aerospace Engineering USM, BHEPA USM, Malvus Sense Sdn. Bhd. and the generous crowdfunders. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in achieving this success.

A special acknowledgment goes to the dedicated members of Cyclone—Dr. Mohamad Haniff Bin Junos (advisor), Muhammad Afif Bin Mazlin, Fauzan Syauqi Bin Mohd Afandi, and Ummi Athirah Binti Che Omar—for their steadfast commitment and hard work throughout the competition.

Text and photo: Dr Haniff, Afif and Fauzan Shauqi