From May 9 to 11, the 2025 National University of Defense Technology's 8th "Navigation Cup" Military Academy Oriented Off-Road Invitational Competition and the First Drone Oriented Competition were held in Changsha, Hunan. More than 300 students from 25 military academies including the National University of Defense Technology, the Army University of Engineering, and the Naval University of Engineering fought fiercely among the mountains and rivers, and staged a military competitive feast that integrates wisdom, physical fitness and technology.

  Personal long-distance race starts

  Team competition scene

  In the individual long-distance competition, the students held maps and compasses and shuttled through complex terrains such as mountains, forests, and rivers. With their solid terrain judgment ability and physical energy reserves, they looked for scattered checkpoints in the long schedule. The team competition emphasizes cooperation more, the team members have clear division of labor, some are responsible for route planning, some are responsible for physical supply coordination, and through tacit cooperation, the task is completed within the specified time, fully demonstrating the team's cohesion and tactical execution.

  Drone directional racers release drones

  Participants cooperate to operate drones

  As the highlight of this event, the drone directional competition has attracted much attention. During the competition, the contestants need to control the drone to complete tasks such as image interpretation, map comparison, target search and information transmission. From route planning before takeoff, to real-time adjustment during flight, to precise target positioning, every link tests the players' mastery of drone technology and keen judgment of battlefield situations, deeply integrating technology with actual combat, showing the combat form of the future battlefield.

  Participants perform virtual deductions

  The event specially opened up a virtual simulation track, and through the deep integration mode of "real resistance + simulation", a virtual battlefield environment is created for the students that is close to actual combat. The students responded to various emergencies in virtual scenes, made tactical deductions and decisions, and used digital technology to realize battlefield simulation, so that competition was not only limited to real-life venues, but also added intelligence and diversity, effectively improving the students' digital combat capabilities.

  On the field, the students fought bravely and used their perseverance to interpret the blood and responsibility of revolutionary soldiers in the new era. This event is based on the concept of "training towards battle, strengthening the body for battle", and closely combines the experience of the arena with actual combat needs, providing an important platform for military academies to temper their skills and improve their literacy, helping students move from the arena to the battlefield and continue to move towards victory.

  Text: Zhang Tieliang, Zhang Yaojie, Guo Jiayi, Wang Yirun

  Pictures: Zhang Dingyao, Xu Ling, Zhang Yuhao, Liu Liyuan, Song Keyang, Ye Dashan, Niu Zeping, Li Shicheng, Jia Zihao, Li Guangxuan, Tu Yike

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]