Connecting the Kill Chain to the Supply Chain: Building Industrial Surge Capacity

Abstract

U.S. industrial might, once a decisive deterrent in the post–World War II era, has significantly eroded. Consolidation of the defense industrial base, offshoring of commercial manufacturing, and brittle just-in time supply chains have hollowed out our ability to deter or defeat peer adversaries. This research builds on scenario planning performed by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Surge Capacity working group. It develops a framework for actions and investments during peacetime for an industrial mobilization capability—one that is prudent to plan and hopefully never needed. The research examines quantification of demands for ordnance, spares and maintenance at combat utilization rates; resource strategies for building the needed industrial capacity for a prolonged conflict; acquisition strategies for pre-planned surge capacity; sustainment actions to maintain supply chain visibility; transition strategies that re-create an industrial mobilization board; and rapid response adaptation strategies for combat contingencies. A targeted literature review evaluates prior planning efforts, organizations and models dating back to the Cold War. The framework proposes courses of action suited to today’s defense and commercial industrial base (including allies).