SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii—The challenge of replacing damaged parts and supplying ships in the vast Pacific theater is being addressed by the U.S. military through innovative technologies during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises. These initiatives include deploying self-driving boats and mobile 3D printers capable of being dropped from aircraft, allowing military personnel to circumvent the logistical hurdles posed by expansive ocean distances.
According to Rear Adm. Michael Mattis, the current exercise serves as a trial for what he refers to as "theater-wide advanced manufacturing." This demonstration is part of the largest advanced manufacturing initiative undertaken by the U.S. military to date. This year’s RIMPAC includes participation from 38 countries, 31 surface vessels, five submarines, and involving almost 30,000 personnel and numerous aircraft.
Marine Lt. Col. Michael Radigan emphasized the experiment’s goal to synchronize advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence for efficient and effective resupply operations. He described this approach as "Uber for manufacturing, delivered at the speed of Amazon," bridging the gap between demand for high-quality parts and the challenges of operational environments.
Several technologies showcased during this experiment included:
- Firestorm’s Expeditionary Advanced Manufacturing Cell: A setup consisting of two shipping containers that can be deployed by just two people in a few hours.
- Fieldmade’s Additive Manufacturing Micro Factory: A durable 3D printer designed for rapid deployment by being parachuted from planes.
- Snowbird Technologies’ 3D Printer: A compact unit tailored for use both on land and at sea.
- Havoc’s Autonomous Boat: A solar-powered vessel designed for sea autonomy that can self-right if capsized.
- Splash Industries’ Typhoon USV: An autonomous drone boat that successfully conducted resupply missions at sea, proving its operational capabilities even in adverse conditions.
While the technology is promising, Radigan pointed out that implementing this advanced manufacturing will require robust logistical frameworks and operational strategies to deliver high-quality parts effectively across wide-reaching theater contexts.