For Immediate Release
Phillips Hybrid Supports Joint and Multinational Mission Readiness During RIMPAC 2026
Deployable hybrid manufacturing capability supported production of mission-relevant components for U.S. and allied platforms during NPS CAMRE’s distributed advanced manufacturing experiment
HANOVER, Md. — Phillips Corporation announced the successful use of its deployable Phillips Hybrid manufacturing capability during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2026 (RIMPAC 2026), supporting the production of mission-relevant components for U.S. and allied military platforms as part of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) distributed advanced manufacturing experiment.
Deployed aboard USS Essex (LHD-2) and supporting subsequent manufacturing activities during the exercise, the Phillips Hybrid system integrates Haas CNC machining with Meltio wire-laser metal deposition technology to provide additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities within a single platform.
Throughout RIMPAC 2026, Phillips Hybrid supported manufacturing requirements spanning maritime, ground and aviation applications. Documented efforts included components associated with the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), an AH-64E Apache helicopter, an Australian Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), USS Essex and another naval vessel.
“All of the Phillips Hybrid production efforts supported real-world casualty repair actions for the Navy and Army.”
— Patrick Tucker, Strategic Business Development Manager, Phillips Federal
Those requirements demonstrated the operational problem distributed manufacturing is intended to address: when a component is needed to restore or maintain equipment, waiting weeks or months for the traditional supply chain may directly affect readiness. Phillips Hybrid provided manufacturing capability closer to the point of need, allowing teams to evaluate and produce components using the manufacturing process appropriate for each requirement.
Among the documented components was a 316L stainless steel hub oil cap for the AN/TPS-80 radar. The conforming component was manufactured for approximately $12 compared with a documented OEM cost of $260, while addressing a listed 90-day supply lead time. The part was delivered and installed on July 9, taking only days to make.
For an Australian LHD, the team used the Phillips Hybrid capability to manufacture a complex 316 stainless steel condenser cap. The effort combined metal additive manufacturing, custom workholding and CNC machining, demonstrating the ability to manufacture complex geometry in an expeditionary environment while also identifying porosity considerations requiring further engineering evaluation.
Aboard USS Essex, the system supported several additional requirements. A brass sprinkler handle was manufactured after one was requested, with the team producing four to provide the ship with additional spares. A fire-hose test fitting addressed a documented 365-day supply lead time and was manufactured in 14.5 hours. An oxygen tank collar, produced in 316L stainless steel through combined additive manufacturing and subsequent processing, reduced the documented material cost from $652 to $207 and addressed a 60-day supply lead time.
The system also supported production of a 316L stainless steel water-valve handle for a naval vessel. Machining was performed primarily aboard USS Essex, with final operations completed at Schofield Barracks. The conforming component was installed July 10 and addressed a documented 90-day traditional supply lead time.
Together, these applications demonstrated the value of having flexible manufacturing capability closer to the point of need, allowing teams to evaluate the appropriate manufacturing process for each requirement rather than relying on a single technology or traditional supply chain.
“RIMPAC gave us the opportunity to see what distributed manufacturing looks like when the technology is confronted with real requirements, real constraints and real operational environments. The value of hybrid manufacturing is not simply having additive and subtractive capability in one system. It is giving the warfighter more options to solve a manufacturing problem at the point of need. We are incredibly proud of how Phillips Hybrid supported the CAMRE mission and, more importantly, the readiness needs of the Joint Force and our allies.”
— Brian Kristaponis, President, Phillips Advanced Manufacturing Solutions
The documented outcomes also illustrate the potential impact of distributed manufacturing on military logistics. Across the Phillips Hybrid-supported applications, conventional supply lead times ranged from 18 days to as long as 365 days, while the exercise demonstrated opportunities to manufacture required components much closer to where they were needed.
Phillips’ participation was part of NPS CAMRE’s broader distributed advanced manufacturing experiment, which connected manufacturing capabilities, technical expertise and digital workflows across the exercise to explore how parts can be identified, manufactured, repaired and delivered in operational environments.
FLEETWERX supports this work through its Partnership Intermediary Agreement with the Naval Postgraduate School, connecting NPS with industry, academia and government to introduce innovative technologies into real-world military settings and accelerate their evaluation with end users.
RIMPAC 2026 brought together forces from 31 nations, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, more than 140 aircraft and over 25,000 personnel, providing a joint and multinational environment for evaluating technologies and concepts supporting future military operations.
For Phillips, the exercise reinforced a simple mission: bring manufacturing capability closer to the warfighter so readiness does not have to wait on the traditional supply chain.
About Phillips Corporation
Phillips Corporation is a global leader in manufacturing solutions and services dedicated to advancing manufacturing through expert knowledge, innovation and technology. Phillips partners with commercial and federal customers to deliver manufacturing capabilities spanning subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing, hybrid solutions, automation, applications engineering and deployable manufacturing systems.
Phillips Federal supports the U.S. Department of Defense and federal partners with advanced manufacturing technologies and expertise designed to strengthen readiness, sustainment and manufacturing capability at the point of need.
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Media Contact:
Lauren Ramsey
Vice President, US Marketing
Phillips Corporation
Email: LRamsey@phillipscorp.com
Phone: (501) 993-0520