Two military heads have said adopting a modernized logistics process will help speed up the delivery of aviation parts to aircraft maintainers and provide cost savings, USNI News reported Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, deputy commandant for aviation at the U.S. Marine Corps, noted during the U.S. Naval Institute and Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Maritime Security Dialogue that additive manufacturing will accelerate the spare part logistics system.
He believes 3D printing will help contractors develop small aircraft components onsite, making more replacements available when they are needed instead of going through various lengths to produce them.
However, Rudder explained that additive manufacturing is still limited to non-air-worthy components, which can hinder vendors from supplying parts that still need to be assessed for flight suitability.
Meanwhile, Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, commander of the Naval Air Forces, said understanding and strengthening the aviation parts supply chain is critical in maintaining aircraft and reducing expenses.
The U.S. Navy has started following a new logistics sustainment system that aims to modify the acquisition and development process for replacement parts, as well as focus on assigning parts that will return to the military after they arrive.
