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Accession Number:
AD1026571
Title:
Additive Manufacturing (AM) in Expeditionary Operations: Current Needs, Technical Challenges, and Opportunities
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report,30 Jun 2014,17 Jun 2016
Corporate Author:
Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States
Report Date:
2016-06-01
Pagination or Media Count:
175.0
Abstract:
Additive manufacturing AM, or 3D printing, is poised to change the world of military expeditionary operations. It has the potential to affect every element of military operationslogistics, training, simulation, and warfighting. However, these cutting-edge technologies are shifting so rapidly that the current military acquisition system is not prepared for their adoption on a large scale. Among the issues that need to be addressed are 3D watermarking of digital models, proper prints in a distributed system, security of a repository of 3Dmodels, and on-site customization of existing models. The author performed an empirical study centered around a survey of United States Marine Corps USMC and United States Navy USN personnel. The objective was to determine which of the promising 3Dtechnologies have been adopted in United States Marine Corps and United States Navy and which should or should not be adopted. The survey and thesis conclude that AM and Contour Crafting have a lasting place in future USMC and Navy operations. Adoption of AM in the USMC and USN is still rare, but most agree that it can be used to great effect. The thesis recommends that more studies be performed to determine the best way forward for AM within the USMC and USN.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
