The Hellhound S3 UAS from Cummings Aerospace can loiter, collect intelligence, conduct Electronic Warfare missions and serve as one-way effectors

An Infantry squad takes up a secure position near the edge of a field and sets up two manportable drone launch tubes. After quickly attaching a warhead payload to one drone and an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance payload to the other, the turbojet-powered drones are launched. They each adjust course and head 25 km downrange to complete their respective missions at speeds of more than 375 mph, leaving adversaries almost no time to react.

This kind of battlefield solution is one that Alabama-based​​​ Cummings Aerospace has been working to make a reality for more than two years. The company’s Hellhound S3 drone — designed specifically to compete for the upcoming U.S. Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program — completed a number of successful flight tests in January 2025.

The tests validated that the airframe and system were Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7), a DOD term that means they have proven reliable performance in operationally realistic conditions.

As a 3D-printed, turbojet-powered drone with an interchangeable​​ payload that can be re-used or perform kinetic-strike missions, Hellhound S3 is no ordinary autonomous vehicle. And Cummings Aerospace isn’t yet another drone startup.

The company, a Native American Woman-Owned Small Business, has helped manufacture advanced U.S. weapon systems for more than 15 years. But Hellhound represents the company’s first foray into developing its own end-to-end weapon system.

“Since inception, our company has been involved in missile and weapon system development for the DOD, whether it’s supporting industry primes or working directly with the government on different weapon technologies,” said Sheila Cummings, CEO and founder of Cummings Aerospace. “The UAS market as it has come to be over the last several years is really an ideal place for small businesses to bring new and innovative capabilities.”

Like most innovative designs, Hellhound is a balance of form and function

With numerous drone form factors on the market today​​, from quadcopters to long-range UAS’s that can fly for days, Cummings Aerospace leaned heavily into its expertise in missiles and weapons during its conceptual development process.

This led to the Hellhound S3 —​ a 3D-printed airframe powered by a throttleable turbojet ​​ engine that is orders of magnitude faster than similarly sized quadcopters and propeller-driven systems.  The many benefits of Hellhound’s design include:

Faster time on target:  During a recent test Hellhound S3 flew at 384 mph, demonstrating its ability to rapidly engage time-critical targets.

Affordability and supply chain security:  Hellhound S3 uses a combination of 3D printing and DOD-approved​​ commercial components, which delivers advanced capabilities at reduced costs. The combo also simplifies and secures supply chains.

Manportable: The entire all up round, launch canister and ground control system weighs less than 25 pounds, allowing single-Soldier​ deployment and enhancing infantry mobility.

Mission flexibility: Using modular payloads that can be swapped in minutes with no tools, Hellhound can support warhead payloads, essentially turning the drone into a missile. It can also use Electronic Warfare payloads, or Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads. Alternatively, Soldiers can use the system as a decoy by employing it without a payload.

Adaptability: Compliance with modular open architecture standards allows for future additional payload capabilities and, when combined with 3D printing, allows for new design iterations to be quickly made and tested.

Resiliency: Advanced navigation systems and resilient communication links enable operations in contested environments with electromagnetic interference.

Ready to meet the missions ahead

The Hellhound S3 was designed specifically for the LASSO program. But S3 is just one variant of Hellhound. The Hellhound family is flexible, modular, and can be adapted and scaled for different missions. And it’s gaining interest.

Cummings Aerospace recently adapted the vehicle to launch from a helicopter to meet the requirements of the Army’s launched effects short-range program. It also signed a deal with ATRX​ to use that company’s Air Turbo Rocket — a high-speed and air-breathing propulsion system — in a hypersonic drone.

There’s also potential interest from the U.S. Navy.

“The Army launched effects is an ideal opportunity to put forward Hellhound as a solution in its current instantiation,” said Cummings. “We also look forward to participating in some future events later this year to demonstrate the capability of Hellhound to the Navy.”