Introduction The most consequential defense innovation of this decade is not a new drone or a smarter warhead; it is a shipping container that prints combat-ready unmanned aerial systems at the forward edge. Firestorm Labs calls it xCell, a fully containerized, off-grid factory that can produce up to fifty Group 2 airframes per month with only one or two operators. Capable of being transported by truck, ship, or heavy-lift helicopter, xCell turns any remote operating location

Introduction Unmanned aerial systems  (UAS) have become the linchpin of modern military strategy, delivering capabilities that were once the domain of science fiction. From persistent surveillance to autonomous strikes and contested logistics, UAS enable forces to dominate the battlespace with precision and minimal risk. Firestorm Labs, a San Diego-based defense technology startup, is leading this revolution with a mission to “democratize the fight.” By leveraging additive ma