ATLAS - Systems & Aeronautics

The only portuguese university team dedicated to the design, construction and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with autonomous flight capabilities. With a constant commitment to the integration of Aircrafts and Avionics, the team’s work spans short-term missions - such as international aerospace engineering competitions like the Air Cargo Challenge (ACC) - as well as community-oriented initiatives, including Wildfire Combat (WFC), alongside long-term research and development (R&D) projects. A truly multidisciplinary team that brings theory to life. Reaching the sky, breaking the limits!

Our Team

Board

Ensures the global management of the project, establishing strategic goals and fostering communication between all technical sub-teams.

Filipa Fernandes

Team Leader

Matilde Lourenço

Technical Director

Afonso Pereira

Aircrafts Coordinator

Francisco Mariquitos

Avionics Coordinator

Our Models

Specifications

MTOW17.2 kg
PayloadDeployable Drone - Ícaro
Wingspan2.75 m
Capabilities Ícaro - Autonomous FLight

Mission Profiles

•Wild Fire Combat
•Search & Rescue Missions

Project News

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3/10/2026

Atlas Project Focuses on Humanitarian Drones

Air Cargo Challenge

The Air Cargo Challenge (ACC) is a biennial European aeronautical competition, originally created by the Portuguese Aeronautics and Space Association (APAE) in 2003, and currently held by the European Association of Aerospace Students (EUROAVIA).

This competition is aimed at university students, presenting a challenge with realistic engineering characteristics. Competitors are tasked with building a remote-controlled aircraft capable of carrying the highest possible payload while maintaining flight performance and adhering to specific requirements that vary with each edition.

Furthermore, the aircraft design undergoes an extensive optimization phase, typically involving the use of composite materials. Thus, each year is marked by innovation, utilizing cutting-edge technologies in aircraft design and manufacturing while ensuring commercial and real-world applicability for everything developed. Each edition takes place in the home city of the previous winners.

Location

Aachen, Germany

Teams Involved

Winner

AKAModel Stuttgart

IST Rank

6th Place (AeroTéc—Atlas)

Events

September 2023

Tróia Naval Base

Naval-Rex 23

ATLAS participated in the Naval-REX23 military exercise with the UAV-ART aircraft. During the event, the team experienced military flight procedures as well as a flight inspection conducted by the National Aeronautical Authority. For its safe performance, success, and promising mission, the team was awarded an honorable mention by the Portuguese Naval School.