Beehive Industries Wins $30 Million USAF Contract for 3D-Printed Jet Engines

Beehive Industries has secured a $30 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop and test 3D-printed jet engines for drones and long-range weapons, the company announced. The contract covers testing and development of small turbojet engines manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques. Beehive's 3D-printed engines are reportedly cheaper to build, operate, and maintain compared to traditionally manufactured counterparts. The USAF collaboration focuses on propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles and extended-range munitions, applications where cost efficiency and rapid production are critical. Additive manufacturing enables complex geometries that improve performance while reducing parts count. Beehive Industries specializes in producing small turbine engines using advanced 3D printing methods. The technology allows for iterative design improvements and on-demand production without traditional tooling constraints. The contract represents a significant validation of 3D printing for aerospace propulsion systems, a sector that has historically relied on conventional manufacturing methods due to strict safety and reliability requirements.