Production Capacity, Readiness Key to Replicator Success: Pentagon and Industry Leaders

Date:

London: As the US Defence Department looks to buy thousands of autonomous systems over the next few years through its Replicator initiative, Pentagon officials and industry leaders say production readiness and capacity will drive its selection process.

Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks in late August unveiled the initiative, which aims to field a fleet of small, attritable, uncrewed systems across multiple domains over the next 18 to 24 months. Replicator is meant to change the way the department buys high-need capability to counter China’s military advantage.

ads

Officials have been light on details about many aspects of the initiative, including where those platforms will come from and how the Pentagon will field them at such a rapid pace.

At the DSEI conference here, industry executives emphasized the need for clear signalling from the Defence Department to help companies — particularly small and mid-size firms — make smart investments in the manufacturing capacity needed to deliver on programs like Replicator.

Retired US Army Lt Gen Neil Thurgood, who previously led the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and is now senior vice president of Anduril Industries, said during a panel discussion at DSEI that companies must not only invest in the product they’re developing but also the manufacturing capability to produce it in large quantities.

“You can’t just make the thing. You’ve got to make the thing bankable,” Thurgood said at a panel discussion.

big bang

Andrea Garrity, chief growth officer at mobile mesh networking company goTenna, stressed that companies must pay close attention to DoD messaging to ensure their supply chain can meet those demands. She noted her company moved its manufacturing to the US last year due to supply chain concerns and growing demand from US government customers.

Still, it would help to have more insight from the government into their plans, she said — especially as the military prepares for a potential conflict with China in the coming years.

huges

On Replicator, given its short delivery timelines and potentially large quantities, some level of certainty from DoD is critical, according to Tom Foldesi, chief revenue officer at Saildrone. Foldesi said the effort could be “game changing,” especially if DoD makes its capacity and capability needs clear and consistent enough for industry to adapt its supply base to the new cadence.

More like this

US Navy Unveils New Modular Surface Craft Programme

Washington: The US Navy unveiled its new Modular Attack...

Eyeing $146 Billion in Loans for Defence Procurement, EU Members Express Interest

Paris: European Union member states expressed interest in at...

Significant Advancement: Design Studies of Next-Generation ICBM Concluded by DRDO

New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)...

HAL Signs Manufacturing License Agreement (MLA) With GE for Co-Production of F414-INS6 Engines

New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a...

ISRO-NASA Developed Advanced ‘NISAR’ Satellite Successfully Launched Onboard GSLV-F16

New Delhi: The ISRO-NASA advanced NISAR satellite was successfully...

Japan Set to Receive First F-35B Fighter Early Next Month

Melbourne: The first of Japan’s Short Take Off and...

Exercise Talisman Sabre: US, Allies Firepower Demonstrations Showcased Seamless Interoperability

Rockhampton (Australia): Long-range fires featured prominently at Exercise Talisman...
Indian Navy Special EditionLatest Issue