U.S. Air Force Awards $29.7 Million Contract to Beehive Industries

Beehive Industries, an American manufacturer of advanced propulsion systems for uncrewed aerial defense applications, has been awarded a $29.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to complete vehicle integration, flight testing, and qualification of the company’s 200 lbf Frenzy 8 engine—a step toward operational readiness and scalable production of Beehive’s flagship propulsion product.

The award also includes funding to advance Beehive’s 100 lbf Frenzy 6 engine, beginning with the manufacturing of a First Engine to Test (FETT) asset and options for further testing, vehicle integration, and flight demonstration.

The award, managed through the SOSSEC consortium, supports a Small Expendable Turbine (SET) — Family of Affordable Mass Munitions (FAMM) prototyping effort led by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). The SET engine program is a component of the U.S. Air Force’s strategy to develop, produce, and qualify low-cost, disposable jet engines for uncrewed aerial systems and standoff systems.

FAMM is a FY2026-focused, Pentagon-wide initiative designed to shift from high-cost, low-quantity weapons to a large-scale, cost-effective arsenal. Beehive uses additive manufacturing to produce low-cost jet engines at high speed, and its Frenzy engine is specifically designed for mass-produced munitions and swarm-class drones.

“Beehive is honored to partner with the U.S. Air Force in redefining the speed of defense. By harnessing additive manufacturing to collapse complex supply chains into scalable, 3D-printed propulsion, we are providing the ‘affordable mass’ essential to modern deterrence,” says Gordie Follin, chief product officer at Beehive Industries. “This collaboration ensures our warfighters willhave the high-volume, mission-ready capabilities they need to maintain a competitive edge in any theater.”

Over the past year, the team validated the Frenzy 8 engine through ground testing and high-altitude testing in record time while demonstrating scalability. Beehive also launched a “Pathfinder” program to validate production scalability and the results proved out Beehive’s path for mass engine production starting this year, the company reports.

By balancing testing milestones with a production ramp-up, Beehive demonstrated its transition from a development-focused company to a production-ready propulsion provider.

About Beehive Industries

Beehive Industries is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in the design and development of advanced, additively manufactured jet engines for uncrewed aerial defense applications. Beehive delivers propulsion systems with speed, affordability, and scalability.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.