Hellhound S3 Blends Drone and Anti-Tank Missile
US unveils Hellhound S3 loitering munition, a backpack-sized weapon capable of striking tanks at 60 km with modular warheads.
US company Cummings Aerospace has unveiled the Hellhound S3 loitering munition designed for infantry use. The system is compact enough to fit into a standard soldier’s backpack.
Hellhound S3 combines features of a drone and precision-guided weapon intended to destroy heavy equipment. It resembles a miniature cruise missile about one meter long and weighs between 11 and 17 kilograms depending on the selected warhead.
The munition is launched vertically from a ground-based launcher. A turbojet engine powers the flight, allowing speeds of up to 618 km/h and a range of up to 60 kilometers.
The system is produced using 3D printing and features a modular design. Soldiers can change the warhead in field conditions without tools in a matter of minutes. Available configurations include anti-armor, high-explosive fragmentation for infantry and fortifications, as well as a version designed to counter electronic warfare systems.
Recent tests at the Pendleton range in Oregon confirmed the stated performance. The US Missile Defense Agency has assigned the system a Technology Readiness Level of TRL-7, indicating it is close to serial production.