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Firestorm Labs 3D-prints 12 Squall drones aboard USS Essex using containerized microfactory
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Firestorm Labs, a defense technology company, successfully 3D-printed 12 Squall first-person view drones and over 1,000 parts aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex using its containerized microfactory, xCell. The operation occurred as the ship transited toward RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii, with service members assembling the drones in rough seas. The drones were later flown as adversary aircraft during a counter-drone exercise at RIMPAC. The effort supports the Navy's containerized capability campaign plan, which aims to deploy transportable containers housing defense capabilities like drones and weapons globally. The Pentagon also recently announced framework agreements for containerized missiles under the Low-Cost Containerized Munitions program.
Source report
A defense technology company has successfully produced 3D-printed drones aboard a 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.
As waves as high as 12 feet crashed against the ship, service members assembled drones that were later flown as adversary aircraft during a counter-drone exercise at RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii.
The service members also helped print mechanical test components to assess the 3D printer's efficacy for drone production and fabricated military repair parts needed by the USS Essex crew.
Pentagon Focus on Containerized Capabilities
The Defense Department, and the Navy in particular, is focused on building modular payload capabilities that can deliver mission-ready assets for the service.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle announced the "containerized capability campaign plan" in March at the McAleese Defense Programs conference. Caudle 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.
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U.S. Navy 3D-prints drones aboard USS Essex during RIMPAC transit