US Navy's Formlabs-Printed ROV Housing Avoids $200,000 Submarine Modification

On October 14, 2026, Nanjixiong learned that USS Pasadena (SSN 752) recently launched a Blueye X3 underwater remotely operated vehicle from a torpedo tube. The waterproof housing was printed on a Formlabs Form 4L using Rigid 10K resin.



The SIMA AM team designed and printed the housing, while the SIMA 2M shop integrated low-voltage wiring. Materials and labor cost under $1,000 because the unit already owned the ROV. The initially considered temporary fiber-optic penetrator modification would cost approximately $200,000 per submarine.

Based on Green Remora, the test aims to provide low-cost underwater search capability. The Navy is developing an ROV operator qualification card, suggesting a possible transition from a demonstration to a routine skill.

Nanjixiong's observation
The example illustrates fast, inexpensive fabrication of a special-purpose interface, rather than a printing technology breakthrough. Commercial equipment and resin solved a defense modification problem with an approximately 200-fold cost difference, offering a useful example for the industry.

Sources: FilamentFeed; 3D Printing Industry; US Navy.

AI-translated from an article by Kuaixiong on Nanjixiong, originally published on 2026-10-14. Text and images retain the original source attribution.
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