US Army Presents SPARTA: A 3D-Printed Drone Shaped by Soldier Feedback

The US Army has experimented with a 3D-printed drone it developed using input from frontline troops, aiming to produce equipment grounded in real battlefield needs.

Built with soldier feedback incorporated early in the design process, the Soldier Portable Autonomous Reconnaissance Transitioning Aircraft (SPARTA) is capable of flying up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).

It weighs just over two pounds (0.9 kilograms) and combines the vertical takeoff and landing capability of a helicopter with the forward flight of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Read the full story on NextGen Defense: US Army Presents SPARTA: A 3D-Printed Drone Shaped by Soldier Feedback