Benchmarking Naval Shipbuilding with 3D Laser Scanning, Additive Manufacturing, and Collaborative Product Lifecycle Management

Abstract

The U.S. Navy estimates that it will cost $16.7 billion per year for new-ship construction to become a fleet of 306 battle force ships over the next 30 years. It is critical that the Navy capture the full benefits of new technologies such as three-dimensional scanning (3DLS), product lifecycle management (PLM), and additive manufacturing (AM) to reduce costs while still meeting mission needs. This project examines the use of 3DLS, PLM, and AM by non-shipbuilding industries as a basis for estimating potential naval shipbuilding savings. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, secondary research was conducted on the three technologies used by various industries, while in the second phase, a model on the potential cost and efficiency savings that could be derived from the use of those technologies was developed. The ultimate goal is to develop insight into the amount and timing of technology costs and potential savings from use of the technologies in shipbuilding. Also, in phase two, recommendations are provided to Navy planners concerning the most effective and efficient strategy for exploiting these technologies. This preliminary report discusses some of the findings during phase one. It provides an overview of the Navy's shipbuilding plans, and a framework for understanding of 3DLS, AM, and CPLM technologies, as well as potential applications to commercial shipbuilding.