What Happened
Advanced Manufacturing Reduces Supply Lines in Military Exercises
The US Navy has successfully tested 3D printing and parts delivery during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise, demonstrating the potential of distributed manufacturing to reduce supply lines and enhance operational readiness. The exercise showed that replacement parts can be made and delivered in under 24 hours, but also highlighted the importance of qualified operators, reliable materials, and sound certification processes. According to Morgan Bower, director of the FLEETWERX Innovation Hub, the underlying principle of distributed manufacturing is to identify a requirement, select a qualified production site, make and inspect the part, and deliver it to the requesting unit. This was first reported by Military.com.