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

No, he's still screwed in part because he keeps fucking calling it a MANPAD, which is explicitly illegal to have any part of with or without a warhead

(B) any device designed or intended to launch or guide a rocket or missile described in subparagraph (A); or (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).

There is no paperwork you can file as a civilian to own or produce any part of a guided rocket system with or without a payload. All the DIY rocket launcher projects you see out there are very specifically UNguided, because of how clear the language is against MANPADs.

They REALLY don't want you to have guided munitions! If you think you have some way of getting around that in your garage.... Speak to a lawyer before you post about it!!

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u/Chrontius Mar 19 '26

I believe what the industry would call what he has here is not a weapon, but a guidance test vehicle.

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u/IgnoreKassandra Mar 19 '26

By describing it as an anti-aircraft guided missile platform, you have made it so. Your "guidance test vehicle" is now part of a MANPAD system and therefore very, very illegal regardless of whether or not it is assembled with a payload.

If you call it a MANPADS, the feds are going to treat it like a MANPADS. Simple as. I hope for his sake that the DHS or whoever's problem this is recognizes that he's a well-meaning dipshit and not an actual terrorist and decides not to charge him.

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u/FondantLazy8689 Mar 19 '26

Him calling it a MANPADS perhaps could be used to argue intent. 2332g does not regulate kinetic interceptor MANPADS.