Marines are set to launch a 3-D-printed drone into combat zones in the coming weeks, reports 3D Printing Industry. The drone, nicknamed the "Nibbler," is the first drone of its kind to be used in a combat theater by conventional forces.

The Nibbler’s simple design is comprised of a few prefabricated components including a motor, batteries and a spool of filament. The body of the drone is printed using 3-D technology.

"Our team is very enthusiastic about the Nibbler, but even more enthusiastic about what it represents for the future," Capt. Chris J. Wood told Defense Systems.

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force assemble the Nibbler drone.

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force assemble the Nibbler drone.
Photo Credit: Lance Cpl. Taylor N. Cooper/Marine Corps

Marines have embraced the technology — they view it as compatible with the "adapt and overcome" mentality of the Marine Corps.

"Imagine being in a forward deployed environment, and just like Amazon, you can ‘order’ the weapons and equipment you need for the next day’s mission from an entire catalog of possible solutions," Wood said to Defense Systems. "These solutions can all be upgraded literally overnight, in order to integrate new components or adapt to new requirements. On a very small scale, Nibbler shows us that this is possible right now with the group 1 UAS family of systems."

Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.

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