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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), is currently using a 3D hybrid-metal printer, as part of the Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 and the Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) distributed Advanced Manufacturing network, July 3, 2026.
This marks the first time a deployable, containerized manufacturing platform able to produce and repair critical metal components has been deployed aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
CAMRE-led and FLEETWERX facilitated the use of the ADDiTEC HYBRiD-X expeditionary Hybrid manufacturing system, bringing a new operational capability to Theodore Roosevelt. This program allows the ship to manufacture parts, reducing wait times for mechanical replacement components and increasing sustainability while operating at sea.
“We have been successful integrating because of Sailors and Marines willingness to learn and work together,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ronald Bair, assigned to the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU), as a subject matter expert aboard Theodore Roosevelt. “Getting exposure to different parts and machines has helped me learn and improve while also training Sailors how to use the new equipment.”
The technology is a major step toward unit level self-sufficiency across the fleet. Onsite 3D printing allows afloat units rapid repair with replacement parts to sustain operational flexibility during extended deployments.
“We now have the ability to diagnose the problem and come up with a solution,” said U.S. Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Scott Barber, assigned to Theodore Roosevelt. “The entire idea is to be able to cut down lead time by a significant amount. This allows us to maintain capabilities and operational readiness.”
The ADDiTEC HYBRiD-X program builds on CAMRE and FLEETWERX led research into new technologies for operational efficiencies and flexibility. Early experimentation began with prototypes and maintenance applications ashore before expanding to ships and expeditionary units, who demonstrated success in achieving advanced manufacturing goals.
The U.S. Navy’s additive manufacturing initiative has been shaped in part by the Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE), based at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. CAMRE brings together military, government, academic, industry and coalition partners to accelerate research into advanced manufacturing while training the next generation of engineers and warfighters. Its research includes new materials, manufacturing command and control digital systems, logistics and expeditionary production.
The Marine Innovation Unit (MIU) is a specialized Marine Corps reserve unit headquartered in Newburgh, New York, that accelerates the adoption of advanced commercial technologies into the military. They achieve this by using the civilian private-sector expertise of reserve Marines. Unlike traditional manufacturing, which removes material from a larger piece through cutting or machining, additive manufacturing builds components layer by layer from digital designs.
The addition of 3D printing capabilities aboard Theodore Roosevelt reflects the U.S. Navy’s dedicated investment in innovation and increasing operational readiness through new technologies.
For more information on the USS Theodore Roosevelt visit https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Theodore-Roosevelt-CVN-71/.
For more information on The Naval Post Graduate School CAMRE program visit https://nps.edu/web/camre.
For more information on FLEETWERX visit https://www.fleetwerx.org.
For more information on the Marine Innovation Unit visit https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Units/Force-Headquarters-Group/Marine-Innovation-Unit/.
Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands June 24 to July 31, 2026. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2026 21:00 |
| Story ID: | 569392 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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