Executive Summary
This thesis explores optimizing predictive maintenance and logistics for the U.S. Marine Corps using Digital Twin (DT) technology, particularly in contested environments. It identifies significant training gaps and operational inefficiencies in current maintenance practices, proposing DTs as a strategic asset to enhance readiness and decision-making.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts as it outlines how Digital Twin technology can revolutionize military logistics and maintenance, directly impacting operational readiness and strategic capabilities in future conflicts.
Key Takeaways
- A significant training gap exists within the Marine Corps regarding maintenance technology, with most personnel receiving minimal formal instruction, directly impacting mission readiness.
Source evidence · PDF page 76
A large majority of those surveyed reported receiving little or no formal instruction in maintenance technology, with 43% reporting zero hours and another 39% reporting 1–10 hours. This training gap directly impacts mission readiness by leaving Marines underprepared to execute standardized maintenance procedures, leading to inconsistencies across units and reduced operational effectiveness.
- Digital Twin technology offers a timely opportunity to align Marine Corps sustainment processes with future operational requirements like EABO and Force Design 2030, enabling more agile and responsive logistics.
Source evidence · PDF page 66
The introduction of Digital Twin technology into Marine Corps logistics and maintenance is a timely opportunity to balance sustainment processes with future requirements for EABO and Force Design 2030. These new concepts of operations require logistics to be in an agile, responsive, and capable of performing in communications contested and resource constrained environments.
- Policy updates and targeted training are essential for the successful integration of Digital Twins into Marine Corps maintenance and logistics, addressing cultural resistance and ensuring effective utilization.
Source evidence · PDF page 81
The Marine Corps would update the current policy of maintenance and logistics, i.e., MCO 4790.2 (2019), to formally accept the use of predictive analytics as well as up and coming technology such as Digital Twins in maintenance. It does this by requiring units to consider the accuracy and timeliness of their maintenance reports and encourage units to employ systems that use limited manual entries and delay of reports.
Strategic Relevance
The integration of Digital Twin technology into military maintenance and logistics can significantly enhance combat readiness, reduce operational costs, and improve decision-making in complex, contested environments, aligning with modern defense strategies.