The U.S. Marine Corps has taken a significant step forward with a compact, field ready drone built entirely from 3D printed parts, designed to meet NDAA security standards.
This move signals a broader shift toward home grown innovation that keeps pace with evolving threats while reducing reliance on costly systems produced by outside contractors.
Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive technician with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, helped drive the HANX project from idea to deployment.
HANX is the Marine Corps’ first unmanned aircraft system built from 3D printed parts to be approved by the National Defense Authorization Act, service officials announced last month.
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I immediately went over to the innovation campus, shook hands with the master sergeant, and said, ‘I want to work over here, I’ve got experience with this,’ Volpe said, according to a Jan. 28 release.
The result was HANX, which derives its name from Volpe’s nickname “Hank.” The drone, approved for use by U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, features a simple and low cost design that is easy for Marines to assemble using 3D printing technology.
Further, HANX is NDAA compliant, meaning it’s not assembled from unapproved parts from foreign manufacturers that could contain security vulnerabilities. Previous Marine drones assembled using 3D printing were not subject to the same NDAA security requirements that exist today. The HANX drone is the first of its type to be approved by both NAVAIR and meet current NDAA requirements.
As an FPV drone, HANX can be modified for use as a flying explosive, reconnaissance tool or logistics delivery node.
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“The drone is cheap and easy to change, making it easier to be utilized for a variety of missions throughout the military, compared to all of the drones bought through contractors where we aren’t allowed to modify them,” Volpe said.
Building HANX entailed over a thousand hours in the innovation lab and navigating government bureaucracy for approval, but the result is a drone that is secure, field-ready and designed by Marines for Marines, according to the release.
“This was only possible because of the collaboration with the team around me,” Volpe said. “I’d give out different drone parts and say, ‘Hey, can you redesign this for me?’ Or ‘I need 20 of these printed.’ I designed it, but I didn’t work on it alone.”
The Marine Innovation Campus has since developed a plan for in-house production of HANX, plus the framework for field training and curriculum. The program stands as a testament to how the best ideas often come from those on the front lines, empowered to move quickly with practical tools that fit a modern battlefield.
In the bigger picture, the HANX effort aligns with the broader push from a pro growth, pro defense stance that favors American innovation and a robust domestic industrial base.
President Trump has consistently urged strength at home to deter adversaries abroad, and the HANX story fits that philosophy by delivering a security compliant, affordable, and adaptable platform that can be produced and updated in the field. It also dovetails with the leadership of Pete Hegseth, who has championed field ready capabilities and streamlined procurement to ensure our troops have timely access to essential tools.
By staying lean, recent developments in the Marine Innovation Campus show that advances can be made without surrendering security or speed.
As a result, HANX is not only a technical win but a strategic model that could reshape how the military sources and maintains equipment.
It demonstrates that Marines can design, test, and implement improvements at pace, preserving the initiative on critical missions. The approach also reinforces a message about American sovereignty in defense technology, reducing risk from foreign supply chains while enhancing readiness for any conflict.
In short, HANX embodies the fusion of grit, engineering, and policy that defines a strong national defense. It proves that when Marines lead, innovation follows, and American leadership is fortified by practical, field tested solutions.
The story is a clear illustration of where the future of warfare is headed and why it matters for the security of the nation.
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