ANALYSIS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE DURING A MAJOR CONFLICT

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Author
Bernkopf, Miroslav
Carmeli, Amit
Chan, Baixian Alvin
Chua, Adrian
Hust, Collin R.
Jester, Marian A.
Kavall, Alexander P.
Lee, Boon Kien Eugene
Li, Haocheng Joel
Lim, Wei Qin
McClary, Matthew A.
Meier, Joseph T.
Naquila, Robert J.
Ng, Wee San
Ng, Wei Xiang
Ong, Wen Xiang
Peh, Ming Hui
Tai, Jia En Marcus
Tan, Choon S.
Yap, Kok Siong J.
Date
2021-06Advisor
Papoulias, Fotis A.
Huang, Jefferson
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This report explores the extension of the conventional “kill chain” in a counterintuitive manner. Utilizing lessons learned from the SEA29 work in “Logistics in a Contested Environment,” the “kill chain” is re-defined backward from warhead detonation to “metal bending and metal delivery.” This process provides a more well-rounded examination of Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to maintain supply lines in a major conflict, specifically, those supply lines that provide key rare earth elements (REE) to DOD weapons contractors. Using linear programming and optimization, this report documents a design of three alternatives for the mining, refinement, and production of REEs. By defining a production equation around our Measures of Effectiveness and Performance (MOE/MOP), we maximized the weighted MOPs while minimizing damage to convoys. From the analysis of results, we found REE components produced remotely (OCONUS) and near CONUS had the best results while using medium and large convoys. Finally, the diverse background of the team, professionally and academically, allowed for a combination of perspectives during the research and modeling process, which ultimately led to the creation of this final report.