The 2nd Marine Logistics Group has developed the Marine Corps’ first Nationwide Protection Authorization Act-compliant 3D-printed drone, known as HANX. The drone represents an development from earlier Marine Corps 3D-printed drone efforts, such because the “nibbler” from 2017, which didn’t meet present NDAA compliance necessities. HANX’s compliance standing means it’s designed to be resilient towards backdoor packages from adversaries.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive upkeep technician with 2nd Upkeep Battalion, led the drone’s growth. Volpe started 3D printing in seventh grade and joined a Lego robotics membership in center faculty earlier than learning automotive upkeep know-how in faculty. He joined the Marine Corps in 2022 after COVID-19 disrupted his civilian work and schooling.
Volpe labored on the II Marine Expeditionary Pressure Innovation Campus, which teaches Marines 3D printing, robotics, and manufacturing abilities. After visiting U.S. Military Fort Campbell to watch their 3D-printed drone program, Volpe was impressed to create a cheaper different. “Their drone has some capabilities mine doesn’t, and a few very good cameras with it, however what I noticed was a giant price ticket. I knew I might make one thing far cheaper with out sacrificing too many options,” mentioned Volpe.
The event course of took 90 days and over 1,000 hours of labor, with Volpe creating 5 main variations earlier than finishing the ultimate prototype. A crew of Marines assisted with varied facets of the mission, together with design enter and sustaining 3D printers throughout manufacturing. The drone required NDAA-compliant parts to stop potential safety dangers from backdoor software program.
HANX acquired interim flight clearance approval from NAVAIR, making it the primary NDAA and NAVAIR permitted 3D-printed drone constructed totally by Marines. The platform is designed to be modular and adaptable for varied mission sorts, together with reconnaissance, logistics, and assault operations. The Innovation Campus has developed coaching plans to allow Marines throughout completely different items to fabricate and preserve the drone system.
The event comes amid the Division of Protection’s initiative to amass 300,000 one-way assault drones by 2028. HANX’s low value and modifiability make it appropriate for items that want customizable drone capabilities with out the restrictions sometimes related to contractor-built techniques. Marine Corps Particular Forces Command at Camp Lejeune has already begun using the platform for his or her operations.
Supply: marines.mil