Navy tackles manufacturing shortfall with workforce, technology solutions

Facing a predicted shortage of 2.1 million U.S. manufacturing jobs by 2030, Navy is working to expand its maritime industrial base to address critical defense needs, as tipped by Defense News. After post-Cold War budget cuts led to workforce attrition, a fractured supply chain, and industry consolidation, Navy has intensified recruitment and training efforts, launching the “1+2 Mission” to annually produce three submarines — one Columbia-class (a larger craft designed to carry nuclear-armed Trident II ballistic missiles) and two Virginia-class (smaller, generally armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, torpedoes, and mines).

Nonprofit partner BlueForge Alliance has helped train over 4,000 skilled workers and directed $273 million to submarine suppliers. Advanced manufacturing tools, such as additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) and automated testing, are reducing lead times and boosting capacity, positioning the Navy to sustain a robust maritime presence.