U.S. Air Force and Drone Racing League Partner to Celebrate 75th Anniversary – and Accelerate Drone Pilot Skills

Miriam McNabb

3 years ago

Air Force and Drone Racing League The U.S. Air Force and Drone Racing League (DRL) share a passionate interest in showcasing drone pilot skills and encouraging new entrants into the drone industry.

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Now, the US Air Force and Drone Racing League have partnered to “showcase their mutual commitment to ‘Innovate, Accelerate, and Thrive'”: creating new content, immersive gaming and pilot spotlights from Military Appreciation Month through the 2022-23 DRL Algorand World Championship Season.

Recruiting the Next Generation of U.S. Air Force Pilots

Partnering with the Drone Racing League makes the U.S. Air Force look cooler – and that’s the point. Both the U.S. Air Force and the Drone Racing League have both been at the forefront of innovation in the drone industry, both introducing new technologies that find their way into commercial markets and support new applications. With this partnership, the USAF hopes to reach their next generation of pilots – especially those already skilled drone pilots, says a DRL press release:

With 60% of DRL’s fans viewing brands and organizations that partner with DRL as “more innovative” and “on-trend,” the U.S. Air Force will continue to educate and recruit the league’s Gen Z tech-obsessed, Tech-setter fans as Airmen. Recently named one of FastCompany’s Most Innovative Sports Companies in the world, DRL transcends sports through disruptive technology, a boundary-pushing ethos, and a new era of athletes that compete across IRL, esports and the metaverse.

“For the past 75 years, the spirit of innovation has driven the U.S. Air Force and enabled our Airmen to Fly, Fight and Win. As we celebrate our historic milestone, we are proud to expand our partnership with the Drone Racing League, a sport that shares our passion around technology, speed and precision, and inspires their young fans to aim high,” said Lt. Col. Jason Wyche, chief of the national events branch at Air Force Recruiting Service.

Adding U.S. Air Force into Gaming, Broadcasts and More

Adding to their co-branded broadcast integrations, digital series aimed to teach aspiring FPV (First Person View) drone pilots how to fly, and U.S. Air Force Boneyard maps and drone skins in the DRL SIM, a true-to-life drone racing video game, the U.S. Air Force and DRL will unveil new cutting edge content, immersive gaming, course gate, and pilot spotlights throughout the 2022-23 DRL Algorand World Championship Season.

“As the nation pays tribute to military members this month, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with the U.S. Air Force as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary. We have a young, global fanbase that follows the U.S. Air Force and loves to discover new career opportunities within technology, innovation and aviation through our sport. We’re excited to take our partnership to the next level, and empower the next generation of pilots to serve our country,” said DRL President Rachel Jacobson.

Highlighting Women Leaders

Drone Racing League will honor Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie, Lt Col of the U.S. Air Force, as part of their #WomenTakingOff series that highlights women leaders in tech, sports and aviation prior to Armed Forces Day this Saturday, May 21. The league will also host a Military Appreciation Month Tournament on their Drone Racing Arcade mobile game on iOS and Android, offering the top 75 Leaderboard Winners special prizes to commemorate the U.S. Air Force’s 75 years of being a separate service from their roots as the Army Air Corps.

Tomorrow, DRL will announce their annual DRL SIM Tryouts, the only player-to-pilot esports tournament that transforms DRL SIM gamers into professional DRL Pilots overnight.