Cummings Aerospace, a defence and aerospace systems engineering firm, has announced the successful demonstration of its Hellhound S3, a 3D printed kamikaze drone capable of flying at speeds exceeding 375 km/h. The turbo-jet-powered unmanned aircraft system completed testing at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2025, validating its ability to operate effectively in tactically relevant environments.
The Hellhound S3 3D printed kamikaze drone is specifically designed to equip the U.S. Army’s Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) with combat capabilities comparable to Armoured Brigades. This advanced system enables precision, long-range strikes against tanks, armoured vehicles, and fortified positions, giving infantry units significant tactical advantages on the battlefield.
Speed advantage of the 3D Printed Kamikaze Drone
During the demonstration at Fort Moore, Georgia on January 30, 2025, the Hellhound S3 completed a GPS-guided tactical mission using an inert warhead payload. The test revalidated the airframe and key subsystems at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), proving reliable performance under operationally realistic conditions.
“Hellhound’s performance at AEWE 2025 highlighted a fundamental reality — speed matters, and quadcopters and prop-driven drones take too long to get downrange. While quadcopters and propeller-driven drones will still be puttering along behind friendly lines, Hellhound will already be over the target area, giving IBCTs the ability to strike faster, reach deeper into the battlespace, and decisively engage fleeting, time-sensitive targets.”
– Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace
The demonstration builds upon 12 previous flight tests conducted on the Hellhound airframe over the past two years that established the system’s core capabilities. In early January tests, the drone demonstrated a speed of 384 mph (approximately 618 km/h), significantly outpacing traditional unmanned systems currently in use.
Key Features and Battlefield Advantages
The Hellhound S3 combines several innovative features that make it particularly valuable for infantry operations:
- Affordability: The drone utilizes 3D printing technology and U.S. Department of Defence-approved commercial components to reduce production costs and simplify logistics. This approach delivers advanced capabilities at lower costs than traditional systems, making widespread deployment more feasible.
- Portability: The complete system, including the vehicle, launch canister, and ground control system, weighs less than 25 pounds (11.3 kg). This lightweight design allows for single-soldier deployment, enhancing infantry mobility in challenging terrain.
- Mission Flexibility: The modular design supports multiple payload options, including warheads, Electronic Warfare equipment, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance packages. Soldiers can field-swap these payloads in less than 5 minutes without tools, allowing for rapid adaptation to changing battlefield conditions.
The Hellhound S3 is specifically engineered to meet the U.S. Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program requirements. It provides precision lethality against armoured targets while minimising collateral damage, a critical consideration in modern conflicts where civilian protection is paramount.
Future Development and Deployment of Hellhound S3
Following the successful AEWE demonstration, Cummings Aerospace has outlined several next steps for the Hellhound program. In the coming months, the company plans to:
- Conduct additional flight tests to bring the entire system to Technology Readiness Level 7
- Submit a formal proposal offering Hellhound to the U.S. Army’s LASSO program
- Conduct demonstrations and tests for other potential customers
The Hellhound’s scalable design ensures it can adapt to evolving missions and expand to support other military branches and allied mission requirements. This adaptability makes the 3D printed kamikaze drone a potentially versatile addition to various tactical scenarios beyond its initial infantry support role.
The successful demonstration of the Hellhound S3 represents a significant advancement in infantry capabilities, potentially changing how ground forces engage armoured threats on the modern battlefield.
About Cummings Aerospace: Cummings Aerospace, a Native American Woman-Owned Small Business headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, is an aerospace engineering company delivering responsible weapon system solutions for defence modernisation and readiness. Cummings Aerospace expertise encompasses the design, development, production and sustainment of missile systems, hypersonic vehicles, radars, command and control systems, and associated technologies.
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