San Diego Firm Printed Drones Aboard Navy Ship
Firestorm Labs successfully deployed its mobile 3D printing system during a 12-day maritime exercise in July 2026.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Manufacturing
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In July 2026, San Diego-based Firestorm Labs demonstrated its xCell manufacturing system by printing over 1,000 components and 12 drones while aboard the USS Essex. The operation took place during the Rim of the Pacific exercise as the vessel traveled toward Hawaii.
Why it matters
This technology offers a critical solution to long-standing military supply chain delays by enabling the production of essential equipment at sea. The system allows personnel to bypass wait times that would otherwise span several months.
The xCell system utilized two 20-foot shipping containers to produce 12 Squall drones, which feature a 5.5-pound payload capacity. Each drone can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour with a maximum flight range of 20 miles.
The players
Firestorm Labs
This San Diego-based company specializes in mobile industrial 3D printing systems for military and commercial applications.
USS Essex
This Wasp-class amphibious assault ship served as the testing platform for the mobile manufacturing deployment.
The details
The xCell manufacturing system is designed for harsh environments and allows non-technical operators to begin printing within just a few hours of training. During the deployment, the system successfully manufactured a specialized tool to secure shifting helicopter blades during the ship's transit.
Timeline
In July 2026, Firestorm Labs deployed the xCell system on the USS Essex.
Sailors and Marines operated the system over a 12-day period in July 2026.
A new variant of the system is scheduled to debut at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This deployment marks a significant shift toward localized, on-demand manufacturing within the defense sector. By moving production to the point of need, Firestorm Labs is positioning itself to challenge traditional logistics-heavy maintenance models used by the military.
The successful trial demonstrates that critical parts can be manufactured in remote, harsh environments without external supply deliveries. This capability could significantly alter how military assets remain operational during extended deployments.
The takeaway
The ability to produce custom tools and drones on-site fundamentally changes how units handle equipment failures in the field. Future efforts will focus on shrinking the system footprint, potentially allowing these manufacturing capabilities to reach even smaller naval units.
What happens next
Firestorm Labs will debut a new variant of the xCell system at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting in October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the industry, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nationaldefensemagazine.
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