The US Marine Corps’ 2nd Marine Logistics Group has unveiled its first NDAA-compliant 3D-printed unmanned aerial system, designated HANX.
By meeting NDAA requirements, the drone eliminates risks associated with compromised electronic components, making it suitable for widespread use across Marine formations. HANX was conceived and produced at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Innovation Campus, a hub established to support in-house development of affordable, modular drones tailored to mission requirements.
Following over 1,000 hours of design, assembly, and testing with NDAA-approved hardware, the platform secured flight authorization from Naval Air Systems Command’s Small Unmanned Aerial Systems office. The approval enabled the creation of a standardized production framework that allows Marine units to independently manufacture, sustain, and deploy the drone.
Its modular design allows rapid mission adaptation, including reconnaissance, resupply, and one-way strike roles, offering a versatile and low-cost alternative to traditional systems. Volpe noted that unlike contractor-built drones, HANX can be easily modified, making it more practical for diverse military missions.
The program aligns with the US push for “drone dominance,” aimed at rapidly expanding low-cost unmanned and loitering munition capabilities. In support of this goal, the Pentagon recently announced a $1-billion initiative to boost domestic drone production, with plans to field approximately 300,000 systems within two years. The initiative is intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and technologies.
