Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech)

Industrial Base and Aging Weapon System Support (IBA) Line of Effort seeks to implement innovative and proactive technology solutions to ensure a robust, reliable industrial base that provides affordable and previously hard-to-procure critical parts for DoW weapon systems through the following objectives: 1. Viable and Responsive Industrial Base: maximize Defense Industrial Base capability and capacity and improve availability, quality, and affordability to support the Warfighter. 2. Obsolescence Solutions: establish a trusted manufacturing capability for qualified microcircuits to support DoW weapon system lifecycles. 3. Advanced Manufacturing: leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities to introduce and integrate additive and advanced manufacturing concepts into the DoW supply chain. The portfolios within the IBA LOE include subsistence supply chain solutions (Subsistence Network), Castings (Procurement Readiness Optimization—Advanced Casting Technology), Forgings (Procurement Readiness Optimization—Forging Advanced System Technology), Batteries (Battery Network), Additive Manufacturing (AM), Advanced Microcircuit Emulation (AME) and Strategic Materials (SM). The Subsistence Network (SUBNET) program develops and promotes advanced manufacturing solutions within the subsistence supply chain for the Department of War (DoW) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). To conduct research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), SUBNET forms a community of practice with partners including the Military Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, industry, and academia. The program's goals are to innovate logistics processes and capitalize on the industrial base's latest technological capabilities. Desired outcomes include reduced costs, increased efficiency and transparency, modernized processes, enhanced quality and safety, and a greater ability to meet operational surge demands. SUBNET focuses on several key areas, including combat rations and field/garrison feeding solutions; food equipment, innovations, safety, and defense; nutrition and health; supply chain infrastructure, storage, and packaging solutions; surge and sustainment support; and water security.

The three-dimensional (3D) Technical Data Modernization (TDM) / Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) includes efforts to improve and facilitate the exchange of engineering and logistics information among DLA, the Military Services, industry partners, and customers. This LOE includes the Military Unique Sustainment Technology (MUST), the Defense Logistics Information Research (DLIR), and the Emerging Requirements (EMR) portfolios. A primary focus of this LOE is to capitalize on the emerging “Model Based Enterprise” paradigm and the semantic web as an enabler to a logistics system that is smart and connected and down the supply chain and across all DLA Customers and suppliers. A major focus is to transform DoW engineering data from two-dimensional paper-based products to three-dimensional computer-based models, and to develop processes to move from “electronic paper” (i.e. PDF files) to technical data files that can interface directly with industries’ engineering systems. The benefits include shorter product introduction cycles, lower set up costs for parts production and more economical small batch production. Objectives for this LOE include: 1. Transform technical data into modern, machine-usable, neutral formats: support DoW’s digital modernization efforts and provide significant readiness improvements. 2. Create a model-enabled knowledge base shared among DLA, the Military Services and industry: streamline the delivery of accurate requirements and high-quality material and end-items throughout the supply chain. 3. Quickly develop emergent and breakthrough technologies into military significant capabilities. The Military Unique Sustainment Technology (MUST) program addresses GAO Report 12-707 recommendations for DoW to establish a “knowledge-based approach” to define, communicate, and collaborate on military unique Combat Uniforms and Individual Equipment (CUIE) requirements. DLA has the responsibility to manage and maintain the technical requirements among the Services and the Defense Industrial Base. Currently there is no common environment for collaborating on new requirements among the stakeholders. The strategic objective of the DLA MUST program is to identify, develop, and adopt technologies that can significantly improve the joint process from transitioning new item development to DLA sustainment and operations.