Cummings Aerospace Conducts Successful Flight Tests for New Kamikaze Drone Hellhound
Cummings Aerospace, a prominent player in aerospace engineering, has made a significant advancement by completing rigorous flight tests for its kamikaze drone, the Hellhound™. This state-of-the-art drone, which is turbo-jet powered and 3D-printed, has demonstrated its capabilities to exceed speeds of over 350 miles per hour during the tests conducted at Pendleton UAS Range, Oregon, from January 22 to 25, 2025.
Designed specifically to augment the combat effectiveness of the U.S. Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), the Hellhound™ drone aims to provide these units with lethal capabilities that can rival those of Armored Brigades. With the ability to execute long-range strikes against heavily armored targets, including tanks and fortified positions, this drone is set to revolutionize modern battlefield tactics.
Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace, emphasized the necessity of speed in military operations. She noted that traditional drones, such as quadcopters and those propelled by propellers, lack the speed necessary to compete in a combat environment where every second counts. "Hellhound's jet-powered design ensures that our forces can quickly gather intelligence and deliver precision strikes deep into contested territories before potential adversaries can react," Cummings stated.
The series of flight tests were designed to validate several key aspects of the Hellhound™:
The conditions during the tests varied significantly, with the Hellhound™ performing consistently in low temperatures, strong winds, and snowy environments. The results showed that all primary objectives were met, and the drone's airframe and subsystems achieved a Technology Readiness Level of 7 (TRL-7), showcasing reliable performance under realistic operational scenarios.
This recent series of flight tests builds on a foundation of 12 earlier tests completed in 2023 and 2024, which established the Hellhound’s core capabilities. The innovative design of the drone, utilizing 3D printing and approved commercial components, allows Cummings Aerospace to minimize production costs while enhancing logistical efficiency and technological capabilities well beyond traditional systems.
The Hellhound’s compact design, weighing under 25 pounds, means it can be easily deployed by a single soldier, significantly improving the mobility and flexibility of infantry units. Additionally, its modular architecture allows for rapid field swaps of its various payloads, which can include warheads, Electronic Warfare systems, and ISR capabilities.
Looking ahead, Cummings Aerospace plans to conduct further flight tests to fully achieve TRL 7 for the entire system. The company intends to formally propose the Hellhound™ to the U.S. Army for their Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program and will also conduct demonstrations for potential clients from other military branches.
Cummings Aerospace, defined as a Native American Woman-Owned Small Business, is dedicated to delivering responsible weapon system solutions for national defense modernization and operational readiness. By focusing on innovative designs and advanced technologies, the company is poised to play a pivotal role in evolving military strategies for the future.
Designed specifically to augment the combat effectiveness of the U.S. Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs), the Hellhound™ drone aims to provide these units with lethal capabilities that can rival those of Armored Brigades. With the ability to execute long-range strikes against heavily armored targets, including tanks and fortified positions, this drone is set to revolutionize modern battlefield tactics.
Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace, emphasized the necessity of speed in military operations. She noted that traditional drones, such as quadcopters and those propelled by propellers, lack the speed necessary to compete in a combat environment where every second counts. "Hellhound's jet-powered design ensures that our forces can quickly gather intelligence and deliver precision strikes deep into contested territories before potential adversaries can react," Cummings stated.
Flight Test Highlights
The series of flight tests were designed to validate several key aspects of the Hellhound™:
- - Speed and Range: The drone successfully flew beyond 350 mph at half throttle and covered distances exceeding 20 kilometers while using only 50% of its fuel.
- - Seeker Integration: The tests included verifying the drone's capability for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by using a live video feed transmitted during flight.
- - Inert Payload Testing: Simulated strikes were conducted with an inert warhead to check the operational status of essential systems.
The conditions during the tests varied significantly, with the Hellhound™ performing consistently in low temperatures, strong winds, and snowy environments. The results showed that all primary objectives were met, and the drone's airframe and subsystems achieved a Technology Readiness Level of 7 (TRL-7), showcasing reliable performance under realistic operational scenarios.
Background and Future Plans
This recent series of flight tests builds on a foundation of 12 earlier tests completed in 2023 and 2024, which established the Hellhound’s core capabilities. The innovative design of the drone, utilizing 3D printing and approved commercial components, allows Cummings Aerospace to minimize production costs while enhancing logistical efficiency and technological capabilities well beyond traditional systems.
The Hellhound’s compact design, weighing under 25 pounds, means it can be easily deployed by a single soldier, significantly improving the mobility and flexibility of infantry units. Additionally, its modular architecture allows for rapid field swaps of its various payloads, which can include warheads, Electronic Warfare systems, and ISR capabilities.
Looking ahead, Cummings Aerospace plans to conduct further flight tests to fully achieve TRL 7 for the entire system. The company intends to formally propose the Hellhound™ to the U.S. Army for their Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program and will also conduct demonstrations for potential clients from other military branches.
Cummings Aerospace, defined as a Native American Woman-Owned Small Business, is dedicated to delivering responsible weapon system solutions for national defense modernization and operational readiness. By focusing on innovative designs and advanced technologies, the company is poised to play a pivotal role in evolving military strategies for the future.
Topics Other）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.