Advanced Manufacturing May 31, 2024

Advancing US Manufacturing: National Goals, Strategic Competition, and the Capabilities of Allies and Partners

From November 2023 to May 2024, the Eisenhower School’s Advanced Manufacturing (AM) Industry Study undertook an analysis of current capabilities, policy, and practices regarding domestic and global AM, focused on four key areas: (1) AM technology, (2) workforce, (3) supply chain, and (4) international cooperation and competition focused on Mexico, Canada, India, the European Union (EU), the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Students leveraged frameworks learned during their Industry Analysis and Strategic Acquisition and Resourcing courses during the analysis. The seminar conducted extensive fieldwork in the National Capital Region, as well as targeted studies in the manufacturing hubs of Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Chicago, Indiana, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. Contributions also came from academic institutions and interactions with international government partners, enhancing the breadth and depth of the research. Throughout the study, the seminar operated with the mindset that AM is a continuous improvement process, not a discrete set of tools, processes, or materials.

Advanced Manufacturing: May 30, 2022

Better, Faster, Stronger: Building National Competitiveness Through Advanced Manufacturing

2022 Antonelli Award Winner -- For decades, globalization has facilitated positive economic ties and development. It also made the US economy vulnerable to disruptions, material shortages, and international competition. As the Biden Administration observed, domestic manufacturing capacity is essential to the reliable availability of the goods, components, and equipment on which America's security, economic prosperity, and international influence rely. Fortunately, Industry 4.0 and Advanced Manufacturing offer opportunities to improve domestic manufacturing capacity. Industry 4.0 is a vision for combining the power of people, machinery, and technology for more efficient production of goods and services that fuel the global economy. Advanced Manufacturing combines data, technical inputs, and process changes necessary to realize that vision.

Advanced Manufacturing: May 30, 2023

Advanced Manufacturing: A Possible Asymmetric Advantage to Ensure Security, Prosperity, and Values

Despite growing tension over threats to the current world order, the U.S. and like-minded partners maintain the power, tools, and competitive advantage to continue leading the pursuit of economic prosperity, preservation of peace, and defense of sovereignty for all nations. Advanced manufacturing is one such tool that, if developed and employed appropriately, offers the opportunity to further the concept of global prosperity and thwart revisionist ambitions. Analyzing advanced manufacturing is complicated because it is not an industry but a system of technological processes and products that are rapidly evolving. Reinforcing domestic manufacturing by progressing and integrating advanced technologies can help restore U.S. manufacturing capacity, maintain its leadership on the world stage, and usher in the next era of economic prosperity.

Networking and Media (Formerly NewsMedia) May 31, 2024

Advancing Cyber Defense and Information Integrity: A Comprehensive Approach to Securing U.S. National Security

Despite significant efforts in legislation, strategy, and policy, current defenses against cyber and information operations are likely inadequate to counter the growing threat of malign cyberspace activities. The U.S. faces considerable challenges in protecting critical infrastructure and democratic processes from sophisticated cyber threats and disinformation campaigns. Adversaries, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, use cyber-attacks, economic espionage, and influence operations to disrupt government functions, destabilize democracy, and challenge U.S. global leadership. Cyberspace’s appeal to malign actors lies in its low cost, scalability, and deniability, allowing easy manipulation of digital environments, from social media to critical infrastructure. Cyber tools exploit vulnerabilities in software, hardware, and human factors, making everything connected to the internet a potential target. The increasing use of artificial intelligence and algorithms further complicates defense efforts. To address these threats, a comprehensive "whole-of-government and society" approach is necessary. This includes strengthening cybersecurity defenses, promoting digital and media literacy, regulating social media, and fostering public resilience. Greater collaboration with industry, academia, and citizens is essential to implement successful strategies. Additionally, U.S. strategy must expand offensive cyber capabilities to deter adversaries when defense and deterrence fail. The paper recommends four main actions: 1) Expanding education and messaging to combat cyber and disinformation threats. 2) Strengthening partnerships for sharing intelligence and coordinating defense strategies. 3) Enhancing cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure and digital platforms. 4) Modernizing infrastructure and cyber defenses while using cyber compellence to deter malign activities. In conclusion, the U.S. must adopt a whole-of-society approach to strengthen its cyber and information operation defenses, involving allies, the private sector, and the public to safeguard national security, protect democracy, and secure America's global role.