The RAF is developing a swarm of 3D-printed drones|

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is developing an air attack force featuring 3D-printed drones that can be installed with munitions and used to destroy strategic targets, a senior British military official has announced.

After scrapping previous plans to build Mosquito drones, the RAF has now shifted its focus to creating a fleet of drones that can be deployed more urgently. Mike Wigston, chief of staff of the British Air Force, said 3D printing technology could allow devices to be built quickly and launched on demand.

He said that the trials of the drone swarm showed that the 3D printing system has huge operational potential. The RAF is exploring new models of drone manufacturing, from twin-jet 3D-printed Pizookies, to commercial large drones and large quadcopters with new payloads.
Until last month, the UK military's public drone construction efforts (at least publicly) centred on Project Mosquito, which was set up to enable the development of the "Loyal Wingman" demonstration aircraft. The idea behind this fast drone is to deploy it in high-threat environments to support fighter jets or helicopters, allowing it to operate unrestrictedly on enemy lines.

However, although construction of the prototype was said to be well underway, with a trial run in 2023, that plan was scrapped at the end of June and replaced by another. Through this revised program, the RAF piloted five more compact UAV designs in 13 experiments in which the efficacy of payloads, platforms and control systems was assessed.

Sources say the drone swarm could be deployed by the British Army as soon as next year. The drones reportedly cost £4 million to develop. The drones themselves include models in a variety of different configurations, from similar off-the-shelf equipment to large systems capable of carrying large payloads. The plan also allows for the creation of a 3D-printed dual-blade device known as the Pizookie, the layout and inner workings of which have not been disclosed.