Snowbird Technologies has successfully produced and machined a 316L stainless steel component aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2026 military operation, demonstrating the potential of expeditionary manufacturing in an operational maritime environment.
The project formed part of the Naval Postgraduate School's Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) distributed manufacturing experiment, with the company's SAMM Tech (Snowbird Additive Mobile Manufacturing Technology) system deployed aboard the vessel as it travelled from San Diego to Hawaii for the Rim of the Pacific Exercise.
During the transit, the containerised manufacturing system additively manufactured stainless steel components using laser-wire Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology with nitrogen shielding gas before carrying out precision machining operations to achieve the required geometry and surface finish.
The demonstration showcased SAMM Tech's ability to complete the full manufacturing process, from additive production through to machining and finishing, within a single deployable platform.
Karl Wojtkun, vice president of business development at Snowbird Technologies, said: "SAMM Tech was designed to bring advanced manufacturing capabilities directly to the warfighter, wherever the mission requires. Successfully producing and machining stainless steel components aboard USS Essex demonstrates the potential of expeditionary manufacturing to reduce logistics burdens, improve readiness, and deliver critical parts closer to the point of need."
The patented SAMM Tech platform combines metal and polymer additive manufacturing, CNC machining and digital engineering tools within a ruggedised, modular system designed for deployment in remote and resource-constrained environments.
Central to its metal additive manufacturing capability is the Meltio Engine Blue laser-wire DED system, which uses commercially available wire feedstock rather than metal powders. Snowbird says this approach enables the safe production of near-net-shape metal components in operational settings, while the integrated CNC machining capability allows parts to be finished to the required tolerances without leaving the platform.
The successful manufacture of the stainless steel parts marks the first phase of Snowbird's contribution to RIMPAC 2026. Following the voyage aboard USS Essex, the SAMM Tech unit was scheduled to be transferred to Schofield Barracks via Pearl Harbour, where it will continue to support distributed manufacturing activities during the exercise.
The system will remain in operation through the end of July, producing components and helping to assess expeditionary manufacturing concepts in a joint and multinational environment as part of the CAMRE advanced manufacturing network.
The latest achievement builds on Snowbird Technologies' participation in earlier RIMPAC exercises, including at-sea manufacturing demonstrations conducted during RIMPAC 2024.
Commenting on the wider significance of the project, Mr Wojtkun said: "NPS CAMRE's RIMPAC experiment provides a unique opportunity to evaluate advanced manufacturing technologies in realistic operational conditions. As military logistics become increasingly distributed, the ability to print, machine, and deliver critical parts at the tactical edge will play an important role in sustaining readiness and supporting future operations."
Hosted by the US Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise. The 2026 event brings together forces from 31 nations, including around 40 surface ships, five submarines, more than 140 aircraft and over 25,000 personnel, providing a platform for testing emerging technologies and strengthening multinational cooperation.