The Forge
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command expeditionary advanced manufacturing team operating mobile 3D printing and precision machining facilities for military field operations
- CEO / Founder
- Benjamin "BJ" Worrell (Director, The Forge)
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
Expeditionary mobile manufacturing workshops (shipping container-based); 3D printed replacement parts (bolts, brackets, adapters); Reverse-engineered weapon components (bipod adapters for M250 machine gun); FPV drones with 200km range; Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer autonomous resupply boats; Howitzer bracket replacements; Digital file sharing for allied forces
Technological Advantage
Integration of additive manufacturing (3D printing), subtractive manufacturing (CNC milling), casting/forging, and 3D scanning in portable shipping containers calibrated for shipboard and airlift deployment; technology transfer from Oak Ridge National Laboratory; ability to reverse-engineer and produce parts for legacy and foreign weapon systems
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Deployable expeditionary manufacturing capability that produces mission-critical replacement parts, prototypes, and weapon components on-demand in austere field environments, reducing supply chain lead times from weeks to hours
How They Differentiate
As a U.S. military unit rather than a commercial entity, The Forge is purpose-built for expeditionary defense logistics — operating in contested environments, under combat timelines, with focus on parts that are unavailable through supply chains (obsolete, foreign-made, or classified)
Market & Competition
Target Customers
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) joint forces — U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and allied partner militaries in the Indo-Pacific theater
Industry Verticals
Defense/Military; Expeditionary Logistics; Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
July 2025: Soft opening of The Forge facility at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Summer 2025: First deployment to Balikatan exercise in the Philippines; April-May 2026: 36 jobs completed in 3 weeks at Balikatan, saving approximately $23,000 and months of lead time; 3D printed FPV drone with 200km range (combat-proven); Carbon fiber polymer autonomous resupply boat printed in 18 hours for under $1,000
Notable Customers
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM); U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division; U.S. Marine Corps; Armed Forces of the Philippines (Balikatan exercise partner)