Russia’s First 3D Printed Surveillance Drone Unveiled

The list of high-end 3D-printed drones grows with one more as Russia’s entry into this space is unveiled. This week at the INNOPROM International Industrial Fair in Ekaterinburg (Yekaterinburg), Russia,  Russian Defence Contractor, United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC), unveiled its 3D printed fixed-wing drone.

According to the company’s statement given to Russian TV news, this fixed-wing system was entirely created by using 3D printing and can be manufactured in a single day with components being printed out in less than 20 minutes. The drone is designed to conduct monitoring of missions and reconnaissance, and can be fitted with a variety of sensors and can operate at a range of 50km with a wingspan of 2.4 meters.

Other 3D Printed Drone Examples

Last year July, the University of Southampton test launched their 3D printed UAS from the bow of a British Royal Navy warship. Here is the Reuters video for the launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEimv8Haoks

Here is an interesting piece from National Geographic about 3D-printed drones:

And here is a jet powered 3D printed drone from Virginia-based manufacturer Aurora Flight Sciences: