HANX: The First 3D Printed Drone with US NDAA Certification

In the midst of the US Department of Defense’s race to achieve “drone dominance,” an ambitious plan that envisions the acquisition of up to 300,000 single-use attack drones by 2028, the Marine Corps has taken an initial step. This involves the development of its first 3D-printed drone that is fully compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the legislation that regulates, among other things, which technologies and components can be used in US military systems, especially in sensitive areas such as communications, electronics, and software. In other words, the NDAA seeks to prevent the use of components with potential backdoors or technological dependencies on countries considered adversaries. The drone, dubbed HANX, is the result of the work of a small team of Marines in North Carolina. Leading the project is Sergeant Henry David Volpe, a motor transport mechanic who has been self-taught in 3D printing and robotics since his teens.

Although the Marine Corps had already experimented with 3D-printed drones in the past, HANX represents a breakthrough for them. Unlike others, the new drone strictly complies with NDAA requirements, which means that all its components are free of potentially compromised hardware and software. HANX has been designed as a modular platform that Marines themselves can print, modify, and repair. This allows the design to be quickly adjusted for different missions. Intended uses include tactical reconnaissance, light logistics, training, and even as a low-cost attack drone.