“This test validates Hellhound S3’s persistent loitering capability at extended ranges,” said Sheila Cummings, chief executive officer of Cummings Aerospace. “That range, combined with speed and modularity, makes Hellhound ideally suited for both loitering munition missions and counter-unmanned aircraft system operations against Group 2 and Group 3 threats, such as the Shahed.”
Conducted on 18 September 2025 at Pendleton UAS Range in Oregon, the test involved a vertical launch, loitering over a designated area in a tight figure-eight pattern, and controlled landing after surpassing 30 kilometres in flight. The drone reached speeds of 80 metres per second, or around 180 miles per hour, while carrying a modular inert payload.
The Hellhound S3 is part of a broader UAS family designed with modular open systems architecture and 3D printing, enabling rapid design iterations based on test data and soldier feedback. The platform is compatible with multiple payloads, including warheads, electronic warfare modules, and ISR equipment, all swappable by soldiers in under two minutes without tools.
This development aligns with the U.S. Department of War’s push for drone dominance through affordable, rapidly producible systems. Cummings combines 3D printing and approved commercial components to keep costs low and logistics simple while delivering combat-ready capability.
The drone has achieved Technology Readiness Level 7 and Manufacturing Readiness Level 7, confirming operational performance and production scalability. In the coming months, Cummings Aerospace will continue testing target recognition algorithms and develop hunter-killer concepts of operation for Hellhound.
