Drone Landing Gear Drop Test Challenge

The objective of this challenge is to develop a landing gear solution for the provided drone and demonstrate its performance under the defined drop-test conditions.

Participants are expected to apply engineering design and Modeling and Simulation principles to develop, validate, analyze, and optimize their solution.

Note: This is NOT a team competition. We expect submissions by individuals. 

1. Drone Specifications

Drone Body Step File :

The provided drone has the following specifications:

Participants may modify only the landing gear.

2. Landing Gear Requirements

The landing gear design must comply with the following requirements.

Design Scope

• Participants may modify only the landing gear.
• The landing gear must attach only to the provided mounting interfaces.
• The final design must be manufacturable and structurally logical.

Material Requirements

• Any engineering material available in the SOLIDWORKS / 3DEXPERIENCE material library may be used.
• Custom materials are not allowed.
• No landing gear mass limit is imposed.

Design Envelope

The landing gear must fit entirely within:

300 mm × 300 mm × 100 mm

Ground Clearance

The minimum ground clearance before impact must be:

40 mm

Propeller Clearance

The landing gear must not intersect the defined propeller clearance zones.

3. Drop Test Conditions

The design will be evaluated under the following conditions:

Critical Requirement

The drone body must not contact the ground during impact.

4. Simulation Requirements

Mandatory Simulation

A Dynamic impact simulation using the provided equivalent landing condition is mandatory.
 

5. Recommended Engineering Workflow

Participants are encouraged to follow a structured engineering workflow throughout the challenge.

Step 1: Understand

Review the problem statement, design requirements, and drop-test conditions.

Step 2: Design

Develop the landing gear within the specified design envelope and mounting constraints.

Step 3: Simulate

Set up and perform the required Dynamic impact simulation. You will be receiving license of 3DEXPERIENCE platform where you will have SIMULIA apps for simulation.

Step 4: Analyze

Evaluate the simulation results, including stress, displacement, Factor of Safety, and mass properties.

Step 5: Optimize

Identify opportunities to improve the design based on the simulation results.

Step 6: Submit

Prepare the final design, simulation results, and supporting documentation according to the submission requirements.

6. Submission Requirements

The submission should clearly demonstrate the participant's design approach and simulation results.

Required Simulation Content in the Final Submission

The final submission must include:

1. Simulation Report (Can be exported through the simulation app. Please check below mentioned video for instructions to export)
2. CAD Model

Participants should follow the file-sharing instructions communicated below.

Ensure that all required files are accessible and clearly identified.

7. Submission Process

Submission Deadline

25 October 2026

8. Final Submission Checklist

Before submitting, verify that your design:

• Modifies only the landing gear.
• Fits within the 300 mm × 300 mm × 100 mm design envelope.
• Maintains a minimum 40 mm ground clearance.
• Uses material from the SOLIDWORKS / 3DEXPERIENCE material library.
• Does not intersect the propeller clearance zones.
• Attaches only to the provided mounting interfaces.
• Prevents the drone body from contacting the ground during impact.
• Includes all required simulation results.

• Is manufacturable and structurally logical.

   

Ready to Take the Challenge?

Apply your Modeling and Simulation skills to an engineering problem and demonstrate your ability to design, validate, analyze, and optimize a solution.

Design. Simulate. Optimize. Compete.

Good luck with MODSIM Mania 2026.