Colorado-based firm Beehive Industries has unveiled a 3D-printed turbofan engine for uncrewed combat aircraft.

The Rampart engine, a flexible propulsion option for tactical uncrewed systems operating in contested environments, is capable of generating 1,000 lbf of thrust.

By leveraging 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, Beehive Industries claims Rampart can be assembled more rapidly than conventional jet engines. This capability could prove crucial for uncrewed fighter programs.

Rampart avoids the ‘delays of traditional manufacturing’

The US’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative will use uncrewed fighters, in part, to draw enemy fire away from crewed aircraft. As such, it will rely on rapid manufacturing and deployment.

With its Rampart engine, Beehive aims to provide the manufacturing agility required for such initiatives. On its website, the company notes that Rampart is “a force multiplier on the field, [that] can take hits, carry combat payloads, and endure in contested logistics.”

The engine features an adaptable design that supports reconfiguration for multiple mission types, including direct combat, reconnaissance, and decoy operations.

Beehive’s approach will reduce costs and lead times, addressing Pentagon concerns about maintaining airpower in high-intensity conflicts where traditional supply lines are disrupted.

In a social media post, the company noted that “Rampart delivers the endurance and performance needed to operate where it matters most—without the delays of traditional manufacturing.”

Mass-produced uncrewed systems

Beehive is already advancing smaller engines under a $30 million US Air Force contract. The Frenzy 8, rated at approximately 200 lbf of thrust, is scheduled for flight testing. The funding also supports the development of the even smaller Frenzy 6, rated around 100 lbf of thrust.

These lower-thrust variants are designed for expendable munitions, loitering systems, and counter-UAS roles. The Rampart represents a larger class suited for more capable uncrewed fighters, potentially aligning with programs such as the CCA initiative.

The new development reflects a broader push toward affordable, attritable uncrewed platforms. The US Air Force has awarded similar propulsion contracts to established firms, including Honeywell and Kratos.

As a report from NextGenDefense noted, some industry analysts are sceptical that a startup like Beehive can scale production and meet rigorous military qualification standards against larger competitors.

Still, Beehive’s additive manufacturing approach might provide an edge. The technology offers speed as well as cost advantages. The company maintains that its all-US manufacturing model and rapid prototyping capability provide strategic resilience.

Rampart’s damage-tolerant design and payload flexibility are intended to support operations where aircraft may be lost without compromising overall mission effectiveness.

If successful, the engine family could contribute to a shift toward mass-produced uncrewed systems that prioritize quantity and adaptability over exquisite, high-cost platforms. Flight testing of the Frenzy variants will serve as an early indicator of the technology’s readiness for operational use.