U.S. Army evaluates low-cost Hornet kamikaze drone in Germany

The United States Army has conducted evaluation testing of a lightweight one-way attack drone known as the Hornet DE-2 in Germany.

According to the 7th Army Training Command, the demonstration took place at its Grafenwoehr Training Area and focused on how artificial intelligence-enabled one-way attack systems can integrate with Army fires formations.

In an official statement, the command said: “The demonstration provided leaders with insight into how AI-enabled one-way attack systems operate alongside Army fires formations.”

While no official technical specifications were released, sources present during the evaluation told us the Hornet is a tactical-level kamikaze drone with an operational range of approximately eight miles.

The system is described as having an ultra-lightweight airframe and extensive use of commercially available components, a design approach intended to reduce production cost and simplify field manufacturing and replacement. According to sources present during the evaluation, the Hornet DE-2 is estimated to cost only several thousand dollars per unit.

This low unit cost positions the system as an expendable tactical strike asset that can be fielded in larger numbers than conventional precision-guided munitions.

According to sources familiar with the tests, the drone’s defining feature is its AI-assisted control architecture, which allows it to continue tracking and engaging targets in the presence of radio-electronic interference.

This capability is particularly relevant for modern battlefield conditions, where GPS disruption, signal jamming, and degraded communications are increasingly common.

The Hornet DE-2 functions as a one-way attack system, commonly referred to as a loitering munition or kamikaze drone. Once launched, it is intended to identify and strike a designated target rather than return to the operator.

The system can reportedly operate both independently and as part of a swarm, enabling multiple drones to be used against dispersed targets or concentrated enemy positions.

Sources said the drone is controlled remotely through a dedicated joystick and control module that provides video transmission and remote command links. The interface is described as intentionally intuitive to reduce operator training time.

Potential mission sets include strikes on previously identified targets such as personnel concentrations, unarmored vehicles, ammunition storage points, and fuel depots.

The developer is said to position the Hornet as a low-cost alternative to mortar ammunition, with higher precision and the ability to engage targets at standoff range.