A Wave of Innovation: Assessing Additive Manufacturing as a Strategic Initiative for the Brazilian Navy's Defense Logistics

Abstract

This research evaluates the feasibility and potential impact of adopting additive manufacturing (AM) as a strategic initiative to improve defense logistics in the Brazilian Navy (BN). Sustaining operational readiness across Brazil’s vast Blue Amazon maritime jurisdiction is strained by conventional supply chains struggling to deliver spare parts promptly to remote regions like the Amazon Basin and Antarctica. Through a qualitative case study approach analyzing literature, Brazilian naval doctrine, AM trends, and logistics contexts, the research synthesizes findings on AM’s feasibility, benefits, requirements, risks, and limitations for enabling responsive on-demand parts production. Analysis reveals that AM enables simplified fabrication of customized components, reducing lead times and inventory while enhancing supply flexibility and contingency capacity. However, AM integration risks exist, due to immaturity across quality, materials, scale, cybersecurity, and workforce capabilities. A phased AM adoption roadmap is proposed, focused on infrastructure development, operational validation, digital integration, and governance to methodically realize potential benefits while controlling implementation hazards. Selective naval AM deployment supplementing conventional manufacturing is recommended, pending further cost-benefit analysis, cybersecurity assessments, maintenance studies, and performance characterization to align with modernization.