COMMENTARY


POINT OF NEED


Advanced manufacturing could revolutionize the logistics footprint on the battlefield through on-demand fabrication of parts close to the point of need. Such a capability would reduce the large number of parts that would have to be stored and transported around the globe. (Photo by RIA–JMTC)


Te experiment consists of adding 3D scanning and 3D poly- mer printing capabilities to a select set of 10 metalworking and machining shop sets (MWMSS) fielded by the Product Manager for Sets, Kits, Outfits and Tools in the Program Exec- utive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support. Te MWMSS system already contains a robust point-of-need metalworking and machining capability, and adding advanced and additive manufacturing tools is expected to increase its abil- ity to address urgent user needs at the tactical edge. Feedback from the experiment will be used to inform future require- ments for forward capabilities in advanced manufacturing and the value to the warfighter.


From innovative methods and materials, optimized designs and increased performance to improved industrial operations and enhanced battlefield logistics, advanced manufacturing will deliver on two of the secretary of the Army’s top priorities: modernization and readiness.


POLICY To implement and fully realize the potential of advanced manufacturing, we are developing an Army advanced manu- facturing policy that is scheduled for release in fall 2019. At its core, the policy will direct Army organizations to consider


and incorporate advanced manufacturing in all aspects of a system’s life cycle, from early design and development through sustainment.


Trough this policy, we are attempting to move the entire acquisition system toward advanced manufacturing, from the development of requirements, to system design, to production and sustainment. Tis endeavor will undoubtedly require close coordination and partnership from stakeholders involved across the life cycle of a system. To that end, the policy will apply to the requirements, acquisition and sustainment communities— the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC), the Office of the ASA(ALT) and the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC). We have been working very closely with AFC and AMC, as well as with other key stakeholders, to ensure that the policy takes a holis- tic approach to address advanced manufacturing in the entire life cycle of a system, and it will be effectively implemented in the coming years.


Tere are several key elements underpinning the new policy:


• Strategic Investment First, the Army and its industry partners must actively invest in advanced manufacturing. While transitioning to advanced


https://asc.ar my.mil 103


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