US-based AEVEX has developed ForgeX, a containerised production line to carry over the production from centralised facilities to the field level with ease.
AEVEX has recently proposed a more standardised way to decentralise the production of tactical-level UAVs by spreading production capabilities throughout the field with its containerised ForgeX.
Packed into a container that can be transported by trucks, ships, or aircraft, ForgeX incorporates additive manufacturing units, storage, and assembly benches required to produce small UAV types in a short span of time.
On the other hand, the minimal footprint of the module means that multiple production units can be delivered or relocated in a short span of time.
Main advantages of field-level manufacturing include ensuring the supply of simple but effective unmanned systems even when the main production lines are hit. The redundance factor is important, especially when missile and UAV strikes on critical facilities or military bases have become an everyday occurrence in today’s warfare.
This approach has been taken by both sides during the war in Ukraine, even going as far as the design of new systems according to local needs by individual units rather than the head authorities. Thanks to this, smaller units have had a steady supply of scouting or offensive UAVs.
