Wire flash
Firestorm Labs 3D-prints drones aboard USS Essex during RIMPAC transit
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Firestorm Labs successfully manufactured 12 Squall first-person view drones and over 1,000 parts aboard the USS Essex using its containerized xCell microfactory while the ship transited toward RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii. The 3D-printed drones were later flown as adversary aircraft during a counter-drone exercise at RIMPAC. The demonstration highlights the Navy's push for containerized, modular capabilities that reduce reliance on shore resupply. Service members also printed mechanical test components and military repair parts during the voyage, which faced 12-foot waves. The effort aligns with the Navy's 'containerized capability campaign plan' announced by CNO Adm. Daryl Caudle and the Pentagon's Low-Cost Containerized Munitions program, which aims to acquire over 10,000 containerized missiles starting in 2027.
Source report
A defense technology company has successfully produced 3D-printed drones aboard a U.S. Navy ship at sea using a containerized microfactory, advancing the Navy's goal of deploying easily built autonomous systems to rapidly enhance a warship's weapons capacity.
Firestorm Labs manufactured more than 1,000 parts and 12 of its proprietary 3D-printable first-person view Squall drones aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex as it transited toward RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii, according to a company release.
"Every part xCell printed on deck is one that doesn’t need to be flown or shipped across contested waters — cutting the fuel, aircraft hours, and personnel it takes to keep a ship operational," a social media release stated. "Repairs that once meant days or weeks waiting on a resupply run can now happen in hours, on station."
Firestorm Labs created the xCell as a factory-in-a-box that can be deployed aboard U.S. Navy vessels to produce unmanned aerial systems and spare parts for expeditionary warfare.
Despite waves as high as 12 feet crashing against the ship, service members assembled drones that were later flown as adversary aircraft during a counter-drone exercise at RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii.
Service members also:
- Printed mechanical test components to assess the efficacy of the 3D printer used for drone production
- Fabricated military repair parts needed by USS Essex crew members
Broader Defense Context
The Defense Department — and the Navy in particular — is focused on building modular payload capabilities that can deliver mission-ready assets.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle announced the "containerized capability campaign plan" in March at the McAleese Defense Programs conference. He outlined a vision in which transportable containers housing defense capabilities such as drones and weapons can be deployed to any region in the world.
In May, the Pentagon announced framework agreements with defense companies Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos, and Zone 5 to acquire more than 10,000 containerized missiles over three years beginning in 2027. The move signaled the launch of the "Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) program."
About the Author
Riley Ceder is a reporter at Military Times, covering breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber. He previously worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, where he contributed to the "Abused by the Badge" investigation.
Source
Military TimesWestern
Part of this Story
U.S. Navy 3D-prints drones aboard USS Essex during RIMPAC transit