Networked Logistics and Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has the potential to fundamentally change how military expeditionary operations are conducted. By manufacturing spare parts in remote sites, rather than relying on lengthy and extensive supply chains or remaining tethered to an iron-mountain of logistics support, the expeditionary units have the potential to be more agile, to maintain their readiness at high levels while deployed, and to extend their operational reach. We describe how the additive manufacturing capability can be combined with a networked logistics approach for the U.S. Marine Corps. The ultimate goal is to develop a logistics support structure that is more resilient to enemy attacks and provides improved support to the forward units.