San Diego Firm Printed Drones Aboard Navy Ship
Industrial 3D printing in shipping containers reduced supply chain delays for maritime operators.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Manufacturing
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San Diego-based Firestorm Labs deployed its xCell manufacturing system aboard the USS Essex in July 2026. During a 12-day mission, the technology allowed operators to print over 1,000 unique parts and 12 Squall drones while at sea.
Why it matters
The deployment demonstrates a shift in logistics for remote operations by enabling on-demand production of components that would otherwise face months of supply chain delays. This capability allows businesses in isolated environments to maintain equipment uptime without relying on traditional replenishment cycles.
The system produced over 1,000 unique components and 12 Squall drones, which feature a 20-mile range and a 5.5-pound payload capacity. The entire manufacturing setup was contained within two 20-foot shipping containers operated by non-technical personnel.
The players
Firestorm Labs
A San Diego-based company that develops modular 3D manufacturing systems for remote and high-intensity industrial environments.
USS Essex
A naval vessel that served as the mobile testing ground for the xCell manufacturing system during the Rim of the Pacific exercise.
The details
The xCell system is engineered for harsh environments, housing industrial printing hardware inside two 20-foot shipping containers. By simplifying the interface, Firestorm Labs enables non-technical users to manage production after only a few hours of training. This modular setup proved capable of producing specialized tools on-the-fly, such as a custom blade-securing device for helicopters during the ship’s transit to Hawaii.
Timeline
The xCell system was deployed aboard the USS Essex in July 2026.
Sailors and Marines utilized the system during a 12-day period in July 2026.
A new system variant will debut in October 2026 at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting.
Market Landscape
The deployment follows the logistical integration patterns established during the Rim of the Pacific exercise. It highlights a broader transition toward decentralized manufacturing as a defense against global supply chain volatility.
Operators should monitor the shift toward containerized manufacturing as a viable strategy for reducing lead times in isolated or high-cost supply chains. Evaluating the training requirements for non-specialized staff will be critical for businesses looking to adopt similar portable production units.
The takeaway
Decentralized manufacturing now allows for the rapid replacement of critical parts without relying on long-lead logistics. Operators should track whether modular, container-based systems like the xCell can integrate into their own maintenance workflows to prevent supply chain bottlenecks.
What happens next
Firestorm Labs will debut a new, consolidated one-container variant of the xCell system at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting in October 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on how localized production is reshaping industry standards, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nationaldefensemagazine.
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