---
title: "SkyDefense CobraJet series is built around a 3D printed carbon fiber core"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/skydefense-cobrajet-series-is-built-around-a-3d-printed-carbon-fiber-core/
date: 2026-07-07
modified: 2026-07-07
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "SkyDefense, Inc., headquartered in Brighton, Colorado, has announced CobraJet, a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) jet designed to detect, track and neutralize hostile drones. The aircraft's structure is built around..."
categories:
  - "Aerospace AM"
  - "Defense"
  - "Drones/UAV"
tags:
  - "future"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SkyDefense-CobraJet-01-640x360.jpg
word_count: 327
---

# SkyDefense CobraJet series is built around a 3D printed carbon fiber core

SkyDefense, Inc., headquartered in Brighton, Colorado, has announced CobraJet, a vertical takeoff and landing [(VTOL) jet](https://www.voxelmatters.com/conflux-to-develop-hydrogen-fuel-cell-cooling-for-amsl-aero-vtol/) designed to detect, track and neutralize hostile drones. The aircraft's structure is built around a 3D printed carbon-fiber "nucleus" core, which the company said forms the modular basis for five planned variants, designated V4, V6, V8, V10 and VT10.

[CobraJet is intended to counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/us-armys-am-platoon-fabricates-counter-uas-mounts-in-the-field-during-flytrap-5-0/) threatening critical infrastructure, borders, airports, military installations and public venues. The jet combines VTOL capability with thrust-vectoring nozzles, which SkyDefense said gives the aircraft the maneuverability to engage multiple fast, evasive drones using onboard air-to-air weapons.

## Propulsion and the printed airframe

![SkyDefense CobraJet series is built around a 3D printed carbon fiber core](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SkyDefense-CobraJet-02-340x219.jpg)

Depending on configuration, CobraJet draws power from electric ducted fan motors paired with solid-state batteries, reaching speeds SkyDefense reported at 360 kph, or from a hybrid turbojet setup the company said reaches 560 kph.

The V10 and VT10 variants, with a 10-foot wingspan, carry a longer flight time and heavier payload; SkyDefense said these versions can also function as a mothership, launching smaller attritable interceptor drones from a weapons bay and underwing mounts.

## Munitions and sensors

The interceptor's onboard weapons include an electro-mechanical launcher firing 18mm rounds, 40mm guided rounds SkyDefense described as patented, and 45mm solid-propellant guided missiles capable of Mach 1 speeds. 

The company claimed these munitions can disable or destroy Group 1 through 3 UAVs, fiber-optic first-person-view drones and drone swarms with a low probability of collateral damage.

Navigation relies on electro-optical/infrared cameras and what [SkyDefense described as National Defense Authorization Act-compliant](https://www.voxelmatters.com/us-marine-corps-develops-its-first-ndaa-approved-3d-printed-drone/) sensors, along with satellite communication links intended to maintain operation in jammed environments.

“Our CobraJet on-board munitions are in fact low-cost attritable air-to-air drone interceptors that can be produced at scale in thousands per month using 3D printing and other efficient workflow methods without sacrificing quality,” said Nick Verini, President of SkyDefense, Inc.

SkyDefense said counter-UAS field tests are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, with production set to begin in the first quarter of 2027.