As rapid prototyping technology has become more popular and affordable over the last decade, there has been a range of chatter and in some cases experimentation with integrating rapid prototyping technology into front line applications. Think tanks associated with the Department of the Navy have put forth more long term suggestions, including the development of autonomous manufacturing facilities capable of filtering source materials for manufacturing war material from sea water. On a more practical front the US Army is already beginning to test small scale platforms intended to operate at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Afghanistan. These shipping container sized facilities, called Expeditionary Lab Mobile (ELM), house a range of tools for creating solutions to problems encountered by airmen/marines/sailors/soldiers serving on the front lines and are budgeted to operate with trained engineers who will design and fabricate what ever is needed.
While I am a huge fan of rapid prototyping technologies, I think that the Army's current approach to front line manufacturing facilities doesn't go far enough for the war-fighter. It is one thing to shorten the development cycle for new tools for the front line, it is another thing entirely to have servicemen and women be the individuals developing that new technology.
In countless commercials recruiting for the US Armed forces the audience is told that the skills they gain while serving their country overseas. With developments like the ELM the Department of Defense has a unique opportunity to provide our war-fighters with an invaluable skill that will last a life time. In addition to having professional engineers on staff the armed forces should work to provide direct access to those serving. War-fighters could be trained in the use of the entire fabrication facilities tools, with a certification program that would have published standards so that civilian employers would have a clear understanding of what skills had been gained during an individuals service. Ideally the certification program would emphasize flexibility, any serviceman or woman would have the option of learning how to use the tools of the fabrication facilities, either while deployed or while working on base. To promote participation in the Fab-Lab certification program the Department of Defense could sponsor a myriad of design competitions, and for challenges encountered on the front lines. Officers serving combat duties should also be able to provide a cash bounty for the most effective solutions to their particular needs (preferably the creators of design solutions would receive both monetary compensation and active recognition by their command superiors) .
There is no guarantee that such a program would be perfect, but if the maker movement is any indication, the more talent we unleash to solve problems the better future we can create.
While I am a huge fan of rapid prototyping technologies, I think that the Army's current approach to front line manufacturing facilities doesn't go far enough for the war-fighter. It is one thing to shorten the development cycle for new tools for the front line, it is another thing entirely to have servicemen and women be the individuals developing that new technology.
In countless commercials recruiting for the US Armed forces the audience is told that the skills they gain while serving their country overseas. With developments like the ELM the Department of Defense has a unique opportunity to provide our war-fighters with an invaluable skill that will last a life time. In addition to having professional engineers on staff the armed forces should work to provide direct access to those serving. War-fighters could be trained in the use of the entire fabrication facilities tools, with a certification program that would have published standards so that civilian employers would have a clear understanding of what skills had been gained during an individuals service. Ideally the certification program would emphasize flexibility, any serviceman or woman would have the option of learning how to use the tools of the fabrication facilities, either while deployed or while working on base. To promote participation in the Fab-Lab certification program the Department of Defense could sponsor a myriad of design competitions, and for challenges encountered on the front lines. Officers serving combat duties should also be able to provide a cash bounty for the most effective solutions to their particular needs (preferably the creators of design solutions would receive both monetary compensation and active recognition by their command superiors) .
There is no guarantee that such a program would be perfect, but if the maker movement is any indication, the more talent we unleash to solve problems the better future we can create.
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