Firestorm Labs 3D-prints 12 drones aboard USS Essex without shore resupply

Published Aug 5, 11:14 PM UTC

Defense technology company Firestorm Labs successfully 3D-printed 12 Squall first-person view drones and over 1,000 parts aboard the USS Essex using a containerized microfactory called xCell. The operation occurred during the ship's transit to RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii, demonstrating the ability to produce unmanned aerial systems and spare parts at sea without relying on shore resupply. Despite 12-foot waves, service members assembled the drones, which were later flown as adversary aircraft in a counter-drone exercise. The effort supports the Navy's containerized capability campaign plan announced by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle, aiming to deploy transportable containers housing defense capabilities globally. The Pentagon also recently launched the Low-Cost Containerized Munitions program, signing framework agreements with defense firms for over 10,000 containerized missiles starting in 2027.