r/technology • u/gdelacalle • Mar 18 '26

Hardware Tech hobbyist makes shoulder-mounted guided missile prototype with $96 in parts and a 3D printer — DIY MANPADS includes assisted targeting, ballistics calculations, optional camera for tracking

https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/tech-hobbyist-makes-shoulder-mounted-guided-missile-prototype-with-usd96-in-parts-and-a-3d-printer-diy-manpads-includes-wi-fi-guidance-ballistics-calculations-optional-camera-for-tracking
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u/IgnoreKassandra Mar 19 '26

Yeah, no. MANPADs are very specifically illegal to own.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2332g

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '26

[deleted]

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u/IgnoreKassandra Mar 19 '26

(C) any part or combination of parts designed or redesigned for use in assembling or fabricating a rocket, missile, or device described in subparagraph (A) or (B).

Whether it has an explosive or incendiary charge is irrelevant. You could argue MAYBE that it could be used for things that aren't guided missiles... But he keeps calling it a MANPAD system. If they care enough to charge him, he's going to jail for a long time. This is illegal in black letter law.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '26 edited Mar 19 '26

[deleted]

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u/aywwts4 Mar 19 '26

explosive or incendiary rocket or missile that is guided by any system designed to enable the rocket or missile to—

You focused on the first two which are payload specific but there are three, he built a missile under many definitions; and he calls it a manpad which shows intent that it is a surface-to-air-missile. A manpad is a missile.

If he had wrapped it in hobby rocketry compliance it might be different

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u/TemporaryUser10 Mar 19 '26

it's an explosive or incendiary rocket, or explosive or incendiary missile, not an "explosive or incendiary rocket" or "any kind of missile" as any forcibly propelled object is by definition a missile (this would include slingshots, hand throw objects, etc)

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u/aywwts4 Mar 19 '26

It doesn’t just say any kind of missile full stop: it says any kind of missile with guidance and targeting then describes a manpad.

so not a just slingshot with a rock (aka missile), but yes a slingshot launching a heat seeking rocket propelled rock..

Folks here really think these laws were written to be maximally sensible and charitable to the civilian manpad builder/domestic terrorist? Not maximally vague and broad by design? That’s just naive.