British Military Deploys Bambu Lab 3D Printer to Manufacture Assault Drones

The British Military 3D printed first-person view (FPV) assault drones on the entrance traces throughout a latest army train.

Main Stephen Watts, Officer Commanding F Firm, third Battalion, The Rifles Regiment, led a crew that constructed the drones throughout Train Bull Storm in Kenya. The hassle examined whether or not troopers can efficiently fabricate and deploy FPV drones within the subject utilizing additive manufacturing know-how. 

Maj. Watts developed his experience in small unmanned plane techniques (UAS) throughout a earlier project on the Fight Manoeuvre Centre. Throughout Train Bull Storm, his crew arrange a subject workshop utilizing a camouflage internet and a Land Rover. 

They used a Bambu Lab FDM 3D printer, powered by a conveyable subject generator, to supply the FPV drones. Technicians from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) then put in batteries, cameras, and circuit boards to make the drones operational. This workflow saved money and time, reducing particular person drone acquisition prices from £2,000 to only £400.   

Maj. Watts partnered with the Edinburgh Drone Firm, which provided {hardware} and educated technicians to 3D print the drone elements. In whole, his crew 3D printed and deployed 5 drones, together with spare components, throughout the train.

The drones had been primarily based on the corporate’s Dirk 5 FPV mannequin. After the British troops arrived in Kenya, the Scottish agency emailed them the 3D print information. Inside just a few hours, the crew had 3D printed and assembled the primary drones, prepared for flight. 

In an interview with Soldier Journal, Maj. Watts stated that this was seemingly the primary time the British Military had constructed drones on the entrance traces utilizing 3D printing. 

“We obtained what’s known as particular goal clearance from the Army Aviation Authority to construct and fly our self-made drones throughout this coaching,” he defined. “It was a giant deal as a result of beforehand they’d solely allowed the military to construct drones and race them contained in the wire, below civilian aviation guidelines, or fly off-the-shelf platforms if the operators had the suitable {qualifications} and permissions.”  

British Military 3D prints drones on the entrance traces 

Train Bull Storm started in Might 2025, and unfolded within the shadow of Mount Kenya on the British Military’s coaching facility in Nanyuki. It served as a significant take a look at of the eleventh Brigade’s reconnaissance and strike techniques. 

Through the coaching operation, 3 Rifles and reconnaissance specialists from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, acted because the opposing power in opposition to personnel from The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the first Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

Roughly 1,400 troops took half within the operation, with each side using drones, sensors, and surveillance know-how. Most artillery and mortar fireplace missions had been changed with FPV drone assaults, which achieved a “important” success price.   

Though the 5 3D printed drones weren’t used to affect the result of the mock battle, they showcased the advantages of 3D printing FPVs on demand in an operational setting. 

Maj. Watts defined that his crew 3D printed the our bodies of the small quadcopter drones with “unbelievable element.” Whereas most business, Military-ready FPV drones value round £2,000 every, the British troops used a Bamb Lab system to supply them for simply £400 apiece. “If we construct a whole lot, the financial argument could be very sturdy,” Maj. Watts added.   

His outfit additionally discovered that delivery bins of digital components, batteries, and small ordnance individually saves house in comparison with transporting containers of absolutely assembled drones. Consequently, 3D printing the FPVs considerably decreased the logistical burden throughout the train. 

Velocity was one other key benefit, with every drone 3D printed and assembled in round 4 hours every. “If we now have this capability within the British Military and I’m a platoon commander planning a mission, I may print off some bespoke FPVs now and fly them on the identical day,” added Maj. Watts. 

These efforts underscored the challenges of 3D printing components in harsh battlefield situations, particularly because the system relied on energy from a conveyable subject generator. As such, the operation offered worthwhile classes because the British Military expands its adoption of additive manufacturing.    

“For instance, we discovered if it was too sizzling or too chilly, the printer didn’t function nicely, so we needed to be taught to handle its temperature fastidiously, ensuring we stored it within the shade throughout the day,” Main. Watts defined. 

In the end, the officer believes the FPV drones “proved their value” throughout the train. Waiting for the following operation, he hopes to determine a bigger 3D printing facility positioned simply behind the entrance traces. This website may produce drones constantly all through the day, permitting them to be commonly provided to frontline items alongside rations and ammunition.

“By Train Bull Storm 26 I’d wish to have tens – if not a whole lot – of self-built FPVs flying, which can make the formation extraordinarily deadly,” added Main. Watts. “The military’s precedence proper now could be rising its combating energy, and there could be few more practical methods of reaching that than printing our personal assault drones within the subject on the level of want.”

3D printed drones: the way forward for trendy warfare? 

Drones are quickly rising as a key weapon in trendy warfare. Within the Russia-Ukraine conflict, each side actively use cheap, remotely managed FPV drones for precision strikes, surveillance, and provide supply. Russia has additionally ramped up long-range assaults, utilizing swarms of Iranian-designed Shahed UAVs to strike targets a whole lot of miles from the entrance traces.  

In response, Ukrainian firms are accelerating the manufacturing of 3D printed interceptor drones to hunt and destroy loitering munitions earlier than they’ll strike. One such agency is Wild Hornets, a non-profit that runs a farm of Bambu Lab 3D printers to manufacture excessive volumes of its Sting interceptor drone. The corporate can manufacture as much as 100 drones per day, together with non-interceptor fashions, to satisfy the rising demand for FPV drones on the entrance traces.

Outdoors Ukraine, San Diego–primarily based Firestorm Labs just lately raised $47 million in Collection A funding to develop its drone 3D printing know-how. This contains the xCell deployable microfactory, which permits operators to supply modular drone airframes and elements immediately on the level of want. 

The funding spherical was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and attracted backing from Lockheed Martin Ventures, Decisive Level, Washington Harbour Companions, Booz Allen Ventures. Firestorm has additionally attracted curiosity from the U.S. Division of Protection. The U.S. Air Pressure just lately awarded the drone producer $100 million Indefinite Supply, Indefinite Amount (IDIQ) contract to steer the event and procurement of 3D printed UAV options. 

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Featured picture exhibits a 3D printed drone, with the British Military’s Bambu Lab 3D printer within the background. Photograph through the British Military.