Additive Manufacturing Laboratories at Sea and their Added-Value to the Navy's Seagoing Warfighter

Abstract

The purpose of this MBA report is to analyze and evaluate the added-value of additive manufacturing laboratories (AMLs) installed on seagoing vessels and to provide lessons learned from the U.S. Navy’s first Additive Manufacturing Shop at Sea, onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), in the manufacturing (printing) of replacement parts on-demand for immediate use. This project seeks to make three contributions. First, a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) utilizing a selected part manufactured through AM procedures to determine value, cost, and time savings that AMLs installed aboard ships would offer. Second, a comprehensive analysis utilizing the Knowledge Added-Value Methodology (KVA) to determine the KVA of the Surface Navy’s 3D printing AM program. Third, a compilation of lessons learned to support or reject the installation and viability of these shops and their equipment installed across the fleet, by utilizing data gathered from firsthand accounts and experiences of the sailors who operated the first AML at sea onboard USS John C. Stennis. At the end of the report general recommendation(s) are provided for the future installation of AMLs across the fleet to maximize benefits, cost savings, and value added to the U.S. Navy as well as for future research.