Cummings Aerospace and ATRX have agreed to collaborate on the development of high-speed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The joint effort will focus on integrating ATRX’s Air Turbo Rocket (ATR) propulsion system with Cummings Aerospace’s proven airframe to create an affordable UAS capable of supersonic and hypersonic speeds.

“The modern battlefield demands systems that are capable of flying faster and further into contested airspace,” says Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace. “This partnership with ATRX will allow us to develop ATR-powered UAS that can offer both of these characteristics in a single vehicle, at an affordable price.”

ATRX CEO Felix Bustos III adds: “Cummings Aerospace is the perfect partner, considering the impressive work they've already done for the U.S. DOD. Being able to validate the performance of our ATRs using a bespoke UAS based on a flight-proven airframe will de-risk and accelerate our spaceplane development efforts.”

Developed by Cummings Aerospace, the Hellhound UAS features a modular 3D-printed design and commercial off-the-shelf hardware to enhance affordability. Its rapid payload swap system allows for changes in under five minutes without tools. The ATR propulsion system enables speeds of up to Mach 5 and has already undergone multiple prototype tests.

The companies aim to support U.S. and allied forces with a scalable and cost-effective hypersonic UAS capability. The technology also lays the foundation for future spaceplanes, which could take off and land from conventional runways.

The next phase of development will see the ATR integrated into a high-speed Hellhound variant, with flight testing planned at subsonic and supersonic speeds.