Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, citing Defence Blog, reported that US defense technology startup Cummings Aerospace recently used a vehicle-mounted launcher to launch its 3D-printed Hellhound S3 drone, testing the aircraft's performance and deployment flexibility as it seeks potential international customers. On August 25, the team used a launcher mounted on a Polaris utility vehicle and capable of carrying eight drones to launch two Hellhound S3 aircraft in turn at a drone training site in Pendleton, Oregon, for autonomous flight tests.
During the tests, operators used a single handheld system to control both drones through maneuvers at different speeds, altitudes and routes, receiving flight data and meeting all expected objectives. According to Cummings Aerospace, the Hellhound S3 is a multi-role unmanned system built with 3D printing and commercial off-the-shelf components, powered by a turbojet engine with a top speed of 618 kilometers per hour and a range of more than 60 kilometers; it can serve as a loitering munition, precision-guided weapon, one-way attack drone or counter-drone interceptor, and operators can switch modes in two minutes without tools. The company also plans to enter the drone in the US Army's Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) programme competition.