ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – A two-day U.S. Army war game about advanced manufacturing kicked off Dec. 4 with a focus on innovation, readiness and synergy.
"We’re going to come out of here with some actionable outputs to move us toward a coherent, more integrated strategy … that we can drive at as a combined Army team," Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, commanding general of U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), said in his opening remarks at the Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC).
Senior leaders from across the Army are attending the war game to discuss how advanced manufacturing can further enhance force modernization and readiness.
Lt. Gen. Christopher O. Mohan, deputy commanding general and acting commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), noted that the advanced manufacturing space is “exploding.”
He said the Army needs to build on current innovations and lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine and carry that forward to the modern battlefield.
"We have to drive this toward the future," he said.
The war game is an AMC event. TACOM, a major subordinate command of AMC, is hosting it.
Lalor encouraged the more than 100 people who attended the session’s first day to harness their creativity and think outside of the box.
"I ask you to engage, be bold and think through it," he said. "Bring up hard questions, propose something unconventional. Collaboration is what we got to have to have success in the arena.”
Attendees broke into groups to discuss capabilities at echelon, processes, resourcing and data management. They also toured the RIA-JMTC, seeing various pieces of advanced manufacturing equipment and 3D printed parts up-close.
Advanced manufacturing is seen as a potential game-changer for how the Army designs, produces, delivers and sustains materiel capabilities. It involves the use of new technologies to create or improve products and processes.
The Army is continually transforming to stay at the forefront of innovation as advanced manufacturing technology evolves.
One major area of focus in recent years has been additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Officials say the technology has the potential to transform battlefield logistics through on-demand fabrication of parts closer to the point of need.
In early 2024, TACOM launched the Battle Damage Repair and Fabrication effort. Under that program, RIA-JMTC is printing temporary replacement parts such as battery tray mounting brackets and bearing covers to be shipped to the field.
Other advanced manufacturing methods include artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning.
RIA-JMTC develops, manufactures and delivers readiness solutions for the Army and Department of Defense systems across the globe. It has a variety of conventional and advanced manufacturing capabilities, including 3D printing and traditional forge and foundry work combined with innovative technologies, processes and equipment.
While advanced manufacturing won’t replace traditional supply chain methods, officials say, it will enhance the resources that are available to warfighters and play a significant role in the modernization of the Army’s Organic Industrial Base.
AMC is responsible for planning and executing the Army’s advanced manufacturing strategy.
The first part of the war game ended with brief overviews of the breakout group discussions, with more detailed outbriefs planned for the following morning.
"I think we had a good first day," Lalor said.
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