ANALYSIS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE DURING A MAJOR CONFLICT
Loading...
Authors
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
Subjects
resilience
major conflict
industrial kill chain
logistics
near peer
rare earth element
supply chain
major conflict
industrial kill chain
logistics
near peer
rare earth element
supply chain
Advisors
Papoulias, Fotis A.
Huang, Jefferson
Date of Issue
2021-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
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.
Type
Thesis
Systems Engineering Analysis Capstone Report
Systems Engineering Analysis Capstone Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Information Sciences (IS)
Operations Research (OR)
Operations Research (OR)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Systems Engineering/Operations Research (SE/OR)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Systems Engineering (SE)
Systems Engineering (SE)
Systems Engineering (SE)
Systems Engineering (SE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Director, Warfare Integration (OPNAV N9I)
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States. Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.