# 3D-Printed Turbojet Engines Beehive Industries Secures an Air Force Contract for Its Frenzy Line By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-04-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frenzy-line References: [3dprinting](https://3dprinting.com/news/beehive-industries-wins-30-million-air-force-contract-for-3d-printed-turbojets/)  [Beehive Industries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Industrial-3D-Jet-engine-manufacturing) introduced the Frenzy line of low-cost, 3D-printed turbojets and secured a nearly $30 million [U.S. Air Force](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mad-fuel-system) contract to advance testing, integration and qualification, featuring additive-manufactured components designed for rapid production. The award funds work on the lead Frenzy 8, a 200 lb-thrust engine, and prototype fabrication and optional follow-on work for the smaller Frenzy 6, a roughly 100 lb-thrust model. The program covers vehicle integration, flight testing and prototype deliveries; Beehive completed high-altitude lab testing on the Frenzy 8 in December and previously delivered two prototypes to the Air Force in 2025. Funding comes from the Air Force’s Small Expendable Turbine program, aimed at qualifying low-cost, disposable turbines for uncrewed systems and stand-off weapons. For military and industrial buyers, Beehive’s approach promises faster scaling and reduced supply-chain complexity by consolidating parts via [additive manufacturing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Defense-additive-manufacturing), potentially enabling higher-volume propulsion production. If flight campaigns and qualification succeed, the company plans low-rate production across multiple U.S. facilities to meet early orders. Image Credit: Beehive Industries ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 43% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 71% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Additive-manufactured Propulsion:** A transition to 3D-printed engine components presents the potential to consolidate parts and shorten development cycles, fundamentally changing cost and design flexibility in propulsion systems. - **Low-cost Disposable Turbines:** The emergence of inexpensive, expendable turbojets signals a move toward lower-cost mission architectures for uncrewed and munition-class platforms, reshaping procurement and lifecycle economics. - **Distributed Aerospace Production:** Localized, low-rate manufacturing across multiple facilities indicates a shift from centralized supply chains to regionally scalable production models that can accelerate responsiveness and reduce logistical complexity. ### Where This Applies - **Defense Uncrewed Systems:** Uncrewed air systems may benefit from affordable, mission-tailored propulsion that lowers per-unit costs and enables new operational concepts for expendable or short-duration platforms. - **Commercial Aviation Manufacturing:** Aerospace OEMs and tier suppliers could see opportunities to adopt additive propulsion parts for niche aircraft and auxiliary power units, altering inventory and certification strategies. - **Supply Chain and Manufacturing Services:** Service providers focused on additive production and rapid prototyping stand to influence lead times and supplier consolidation by offering integrated fabrication and qualification capabilities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Community 3D-Printed Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printing-elves.md) - [Miniature Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-robot.md) - [3D-Printing Drone Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neco-hp.md) - [Air Gapped 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/secure-line-printers.md) - [Blended-Wing Fighters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stavatti-aerospace-sm39-razor.md) - [Compact Jet-Inspired Purifiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hushjet.md) - [Airborne Power Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/s-sawes.md) - [Large-Format Additive Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/large-format-printers.md) - [Aviation Powered Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beast-by-john-dodd.md)