[poncho_romero]

Will “all the latest technology” be available? The expertise the US once had in this area is largely gone, and won’t come back immediately. I think there’s real reasons to be concerned that the US will fall behind countries like China in areas like innovation because of this self-inflicted brain drain.

[ddingus]

Right now there are mandates to build out the manufacturing base needed for military efforts.

They know the tech sent off shore will, for the most part, remain off shore.

Additive manufacturing, an example of "latest tech", is a primary build up target here. It is new and expertise is being created as the tech itself is.

[mitthrowaway2]

Additive manufacturing doesn't help much if you want to build Liberty ship volumes, or roller-bearing tolerances, unfortunately.

[ddingus]

Indeed.

HYBRID DED is going to be the answer to many of those scenarios.

Basically, we couple subtractive with additive and maximize the benefits of both. Done right the risks are greatly reduced as are costs compared to just doing it the legacy way.