Loading briefing details...
Loading briefing details...
News Abstract
By: PointLine Media Research & Editorial Team
Topic:Business,Industry,Technology
July 28, 2026
Minnesota-based manufacturer Chromatic 3D Materials has secured a five-year lease at the Camp Ripley National Guard training facility. The site now hosts a dedicated rocket propellant testing range and an on-site fabrication laboratory.
This facility allows the company to transition directly from printing propellant components to live-fire evaluation. By shortening the distance between production and testing, the company aims to speed up development cycles for national defense clients.
The expansion is supported by the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub and the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem. The project also incorporates a partnership with LEMA to test mobile solar power systems for use in remote or austere environments.
The defense industry is increasingly shifting toward dual-use technologies that allow commercial firms to support military needs. By utilizing existing National Guard infrastructure for private sector testing, the Department of War is reducing the overhead typically required for rapid hardware iteration.
This trend highlights a broader move toward decentralized, energy-independent manufacturing. Integrating portable power with additive manufacturing allows defense forces to maintain operational readiness in isolated locations, reducing the logistical burden of traditional supply chains.