Rep. Ronny Jackson Questions Experts on Automation in Shipbuilding

Automation and Efficiency in Shipbuilding

• 💡 Rep. Ronny Jackson inquired about the aggressive adoption of production line automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics in shipbuilding to increase capacity and efficiency.
• 🚀 The potential for these technologies to expand production and create new roles for workers was highlighted.

Organized Labor and Automation Pushback

• ⚠️ A key concern raised was the role of organized labor in potentially resisting automation, particularly when it impacts existing jobs.
• 💬 The question was posed whether organized labor's pushback on automating tasks like shipyard gates is being overcome.

Modernization Efforts and Advanced Manufacturing

• 🛠️ Efforts are underway to modernize shipyards and implement advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing.
• 📊 Over 700 projects with 300 suppliers across 33 states are utilizing these techniques, showing an 11% improvement in performance.
• 🔬 An upcoming SSGN availability will feature 33 additively manufactured parts, some of which could not have been sourced otherwise.

International Partnerships and Industrial Base

• 🤝 The discussion touched upon the role of allies, such as Australia, in shipbuilding and maintenance to augment US capabilities.
• 🌍 While prioritizing domestic production, the need for intermediate maintenance capabilities with allies, especially in the Indo-Pacific, was acknowledged as a national security asset.
• ⚖️ A delicate balance is required to keep existing yards healthy while integrating new ones, considering fluctuations in ship program flow.
• 🌱 Ensuring a vibrant commercial shipbuilding industry to supplement naval shipbuilding is a key area of focus.