Cummings Aerospace’s Hellhound S3, a turbojet-powered, 3D-printed kamikaze drone, has successfully completed its first flight at the US Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company’s cutting-edge unmanned aerial system (UAS).
The successful demonstration not only proved the Hellhound S3’s operational capabilities in a tactically relevant environment but also showcased its potential to transform the Army’s strike capabilities.
Hellhound S3: Flight Test and Demonstration
The flight test at AEWE 2025, held at Fort Moore, Georgia, on January 30, 2025, was designed to validate the Hellhound S3’s performance and mission objectives in real-world conditions.
During the test, the drone carried out a GPS-guided tactical mission with an inert warhead payload.
The system met all primary mission objectives, and its airframe and key subsystems were revalidated at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), ensuring reliable performance in operationally realistic conditions. This achievement builds on previous milestones, including 12 earlier flight tests that established the system’s core capabilities.
The test also provided valuable feedback from warfighters, allowing Cummings Aerospace engineers to further refine the system based on their insights.
Key Features and Capabilities
The Hellhound S3 is designed to equip US Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) with precision strike capabilities comparable to those of Armored Brigades.
It is engineered for rapid deployment and effective long-range strikes, particularly against armored vehicles, tanks, and fortified positions.
Cummings Aerospace’s Hellhound S3, a turbojet-powered, 3D-printed kamikaze drone, has successfully completed its first flight at the US Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company’s cutting-edge unmanned aerial system (UAS).
The successful demonstration not only proved the Hellhound S3’s operational capabilities in a tactically relevant environment but also showcased its potential to transform the Army’s strike capabilities.
Hellhound S3: Flight Test and Demonstration
The flight test at AEWE 2025, held at Fort Moore, Georgia, on January 30, 2025, was designed to validate the Hellhound S3’s performance and mission objectives in real-world conditions.
During the test, the drone carried out a GPS-guided tactical mission with an inert warhead payload.
The system met all primary mission objectives, and its airframe and key subsystems were revalidated at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), ensuring reliable performance in operationally realistic conditions. This achievement builds on previous milestones, including 12 earlier flight tests that established the system’s core capabilities.
The test also provided valuable feedback from warfighters, allowing Cummings Aerospace engineers to further refine the system based on their insights.
Key Features and Capabilities
The Hellhound S3 is designed to equip US Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) with precision strike capabilities comparable to those of Armored Brigades.
It is engineered for rapid deployment and effective long-range strikes, particularly against armored vehicles, tanks, and fortified positions.
Powered by a turbojet engine, the Hellhound S3 can reach speeds of over 375 miles/hour, significantly faster than typical quadcopters and prop-driven drones, which are often too slow to effectively engage time-sensitive targets.
Its man-portable design, weighing under 25 pounds, allows a single soldier to deploy it, increasing mobility and flexibility in the field.
The drone’s modular design is another key advantage, enabling operators to swap out payloads—such as warheads, electronic warfare systems, or ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) equipment—within five minutes, and without the need for tools.
The Hellhound S3’s 3D-printed components reduce production costs and simplify logistics, making it an affordable solution for the US Army while providing advanced strike capabilities.
Its ability to loiter over a target area and engage with precision provides an operational advantage over slower drones, giving IBCTs a critical tool for faster, more effective engagements in the battlefield.
Future Role and Scalability
The Hellhound S3 is specifically designed to meet the US Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program requirements.
LASSO aims to provide IBCTs with long-range, anti-armor capabilities similar to those available to Armored Brigades, ensuring that ground forces have access to advanced technologies for effective combat.
Cummings Aerospace’s Hellhound S3 is expected to play a key role in equipping the Army with precision lethality, offering extended range and endurance.
Its loitering capability enables soldiers to strike targets within the IBCT battlespace, including those beyond the line of sight. This system’s modular design ensures that it can adapt to evolving missions and support additional payload options as the LASSO program evolves.
In addition to meeting the Army’s current requirements, the Hellhound S3’s scalable design allows it to support future missions across various military branches and allied forces, making it a versatile platform for years to come.
The ability to field-swap payloads, as well as the potential for growth in its mission profile, ensures that the Hellhound S3 will remain a valuable asset as defense strategies continue to evolve.
US Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division set up a Switchblade 600 during a live fire exercise at Grafenwoehr, Germany, February 25, 2025. (Wikimedia Commons/DVIDS)
Cummings Aerospace plans to conduct additional flight tests in the coming months to further refine the Hellhound S3 system and bring the entire platform to TRL-7.
The company is also preparing to formally submit the Hellhound for consideration under the US Army’s LASSO program, a crucial step for integrating the drone into Army operations.
Future demonstrations and tests for other potential customers will also be explored to expand the system’s use across different sectors of defense.
Final Thoughts
The successful first flight of the Hellhound S3 kamikaze drone at AEWE 2025 is a significant achievement for Cummings Aerospace, demonstrating the viability of 3D-printed, turbojet-powered drones for precision strike capabilities. With its high-speed performance, man-portable design, and versatile payload options, the Hellhound S3 is poised to enhance the US Army’s capabilities in a rapidly evolving battlefield.
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