The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully developed a low-cost, 3D-printed first-person-view drone that is easy to assemble, operationally deployable, and compliant with national security regulations.
The drone, designated HANX, was created with the involvement of Sgt. Henry David Volpe from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. By combining his interest in robotics and engineering, Volpe helped produce the Marine Corps’ first 3D-printed unmanned aircraft system approved under the National Defense Authorization Act, officials said last month.
Progress on the project accelerated when Volpe was assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force Innovation Campus at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where Marine-led innovation initiatives are supported.
Named after Volpe’s nickname “Hank,” HANX has received approval from U.S. Naval Air Systems Command and is designed to be assembled by Marines using organic 3D-printing capabilities. Its straightforward design emphasizes affordability, speed, and adaptability.
HANX is fully NDAA compliant, ensuring the platform does not incorporate unapproved foreign-sourced components that could present security risks. Earlier Marine Corps 3D-printed drones were developed before such requirements were in force, making HANX the first system of its type approved under current standards.
As an FPV platform, HANX can be configured for reconnaissance, logistics delivery, or explosive roles. The drone’s development involved more than 1,000 hours of work and navigating multiple approval processes. The Marine Innovation Campus is now moving forward with plans for in-house production, field training, and a dedicated curriculum.
