Earlier this month, the American company Cummings Aerospace tested its Hellhound S3 kamikaze drone as part of the U.S. Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE). The trials, conducted under conditions simulating real combat, confirmed the drone's readiness for deployment.
During testing, the drone successfully completed a tactical mission using GPS guidance, demonstrating its operational effectiveness, Defense Industry Europe reports.
US Army conducts the 1st flight of new Hellhound S3 turbojet kamikaze drone in Georgia.the modular payload bays that can be configured for different mission profiles,including explosive warheads,electronic warfare payloads,intelligence,Surveillance,& Reconnaissance (ISR) modules pic.twitter.com/40n87L3l7S— Valhalla (@ELMObrokenWings) March 28, 2025
A key feature of the Hellhound S3 is its reliance on commercial technologies and 3D-printed components, which streamline production and logistics while reducing costs. However, the company has yet to disclose the unit price of the system.
Powered by a turbojet engine, the Hellhound S3 can reach maximum speeds exceeding 610 km/h. Designed primarily for U.S. Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), it is intended for rapid deployment in the field to strike tanks, armored vehicles, and fortified enemy positions.
Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace, emphasized that AEWE 2025 testing highlighted a "fundamental reality" of the modern battlefield: flight speed matters. She noted that while any propeller-driven drone is still leaving its position, their jet-powered Hellhound would already be closing in on its target behind enemy lines.
Compact and lightweight, the system weighs under 11.3 kg, so it can be crried by one soldier. It includes the drone, a launch container, and a control unit. Modular design allows to quickly swap payloads between a warhead, an electronic warfare system, or surveillance sensor unit, enabling mission-specific adaptations in under five minutes.
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