Starfighter X

Starfighter X is Orbital Composites’ modular unmanned aircraft system, built using the company’s patented Additive Manufacturing Compression Molding (AMCM) process that combines robotic extrusion-based 3D printing with compression molding to produce low-porosity composite airframes. Orbital Composites was awarded a U.S. Air Force AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract to develop and scale production of multi-mission Starfighter drone fleets. Two variants are in development, with top speeds up to 200 mph and 300 mph respectively, and the automated manufacturing process supports Group 1, 2 and 3 UAS classes, from small reconnaissance drones to larger tactical systems, with an initial focus on counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and cargo resupply missions.