The US Marine Corps has unveiled its first NDAA-compliant 3D-printed drone, developed by the 2nd Marine Logistics Group as part of a broader effort to expand secure, low-cost unmanned capabilities. Designated HANX, the drone meets strict National Defense Authorization Act standards, ensuring its electronic components are free from vulnerabilities that could compromise operational security.
Development took place at the II MEF Innovation Campus, where Marines focus on creating organic manufacturing solutions for unmanned systems. The approach allows the service to design and produce drones internally, reducing acquisition timelines and eliminating dependence on contractor-supplied platforms that cannot be easily modified once delivered.
After completing more than 1,000 hours of development and testing, HANX was granted flight approval by NAVAIR’s Small UAS Program Office. With approval secured, the Marine Corps implemented a distributed production model, enabling units across the force to 3D-print, assemble, repair, and deploy the drone as mission requirements evolve.
The drone’s modular and low-cost design allows rapid adaptation for intelligence, resupply, or loitering munition roles, offering a flexible solution for modern battlefield demands. The initiative aligns with Washington’s recent $1 billion investment in domestic drone production, which aims to deliver hundreds of thousands of affordable unmanned systems while building a resilient US-based manufacturing ecosystem and reducing reliance on foreign technologies.
