The Army wants to use 3D-printed drones to spot threats soldiers can’t see
Soldiers in Germany will test whether 3D-printed small drones can scan the electromagnetic spectrum to find threats for soldiers.
Jeff Schogol
Published Apr 25, 2025 1:55 PM EDT
The Army plans to test 3D-printed drones next month during an exercise in Poland to see if the service can mass produce its own small unmanned aerial systems at a much lower cost than the defense industry, Army officials told Task & Purpose.
The 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion based in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, has built about seven small drones, which have sensors to scan the electromagnetic spectrum to find targets, like “The Predator” from the movie franchise, the officials said on Friday.
The Task Force will send one or two of the 3D-printed drones to the exercise in Poland to test their ability to help soldiers identify simulated threats, said Lt. Col. Aaron Ritzema, commander of the battalion, which is tasked with conducting long-range reconnaissance missions in the European theater.
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