FLEETWERX, a Partnership Intermediary Agreement that connects the Naval Postgraduate School with industry, academia, and government, will run FLEET-X at Camp Roberts during Joint Interagency Field Experimentation (JIFX) 26-3 as a live, industry-focused operational check on how critical parts can be identified, manufactured, and delivered in real time. Conducted with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (NPS CAMRE) and industry partners, the effort is part of preparation for RIMPAC 2026. The exercise is intended to place greater focus on the companies, systems, and operational workflows that could help military units reduce downtime when critical equipment fails.
JIFX, the Naval Postgraduate School’s field experimentation program, brings together military teams, engineers, and private companies to test new technologies in realistic conditions before broader use. During the exercise, teams will run the process from need to delivery. A part requirement will be identified, digital files and system information will be prepared, software tools will help assign the request to the appropriate manufacturing capability, partners will produce the component using advanced manufacturing, and unmanned systems will deliver the finished part across the test range. FLEETWERX is coordinating the effort across military, academic, and industry participants to test whether that chain can function as one system rather than a set of disconnected demonstrations.
“This is about production flexibility, speed and effective system management,” said Ethan Brown, Program Manager at FLEETWERX. “When parts fail, they can take larger systems out of service. FLEET-X is designed to show how industry partners, software tools and unmanned systems can help reduce part production lead times and move useful capability closer to the point of need.” Chris Curran, Program Manager at NPS CAMRE, said the exercise is designed to examine how manufacturing, AI-enabled workflow tools, and autonomous delivery systems perform together in field conditions before they are used at larger exercises and in real operations. The effort addresses a broader sustainment problem facing deployed units trying to keep ships, aircraft, and other systems operational during long missions when traditional supply lines may be stretched, delayed, or contested. The release also points to Indo-Pacific logistics demands and lessons from Operation Epic Fury, where faster repair and sustainment at the edge can matter as much as initial deployment speed.
Several participating companies will test different parts of that chain. Re:3D, a company focused on large-scale polymer 3D printing, is expected to print drone components for an operational unit if the demonstration proceeds as planned. Fieldmade, which develops compact deployable metal additive manufacturing systems, will produce metal components from incoming taskings. ADDiTEC, a company working in hybrid manufacturing, will produce and refine metal parts using systems that combine 3D printing and precision machining. CEAD, which provides large-format composite printing systems, will test production of oversized components. Snowbird Technologies, developer of the containerized SAMM-Tech advanced manufacturing platform, is not expected to print during FLEET-X but will receive taskings and support planning tied to future RIMPAC 2026 activities. Its earlier RIMPAC 2024 work included scanning and printing a replacement stainless-steel reverse osmosis pump bushing at sea.
Logistics, routing, and data capture will also be part of the event. Splash Industries, which develops unmanned surface vessels, will use those platforms to transport manufactured parts across the test range. HavocAI will contribute autonomous systems for delivery missions, with platforms receiving taskings, planning routes, and executing delivery runs. 3YOURMIND, a software company focused on digital manufacturing workflows, will use its AI-enabled decision assist tool to help assign parts to the appropriate manufacturing partner. Avathon will provide AI-enabled tools that ingest system information so manufacturing data can be processed and integrated more quickly, while improving visibility into production status and workflow alignment. The Defense Innovation Navigation Assistant (DINA) led by the Inland Empire Tech Bridge and California Baptist University, will capture what happens during the exercise to identify patterns, bottlenecks, and areas needing improvement. The goal is to determine what works, what needs refinement, and what must be ready before larger exercises such as RIMPAC. Photos, video, and additional information will be released after the event.
3D Printing Industry is inviting speakers for its 2026 Additive Manufacturing Applications (AMA) series, covering Energy, Healthcare, Automotive and Mobility, Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Software. Each online event focuses on real production deployments, qualification, and supply chain integration. Practitioners interested in contributing can complete the call for speakers form here.
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Featured photo shows FLEETWERX logo. Image via FLEETWERX.
