DARPA to Invent Build-All Factory

Scientists at DARPA are proposing the development and construction of a new type of construction facility, that could build everything from synthetic blood to tanks at the push of a button.

The crew working for the US Defense Advanced Researcher Agency is not known for coming up with realistic projects that make sense from the get-go. Their plans are more of an acquired taste, as they say.

The newly-planned “fabs” are no exception. Researchers at the Department of Defense's (DOD) research wing are proposing the creation of build-all factories, that would resemble foundries.

Plans show that, if such a facility is constructed, then researchers seeking to win a DOD challenge would only need to upload a CAD file into the factory's system, and then watch their product being built according to specifications.

Such generic fabrication facilities would also resemble the all-purpose microprocessor plants in existence today, where most of the world's silicon-based electronics are constructed.

“The specific goals of the iFAB program are to rapidly design and configure manufacturing capabilities to support the fabrication of a wide array of infantry fighting vehicle models and variants,” says a DARPA statement on the proposed factories.

“Parallel efforts titled vehicleforge.mil and Fast Adaptable Next-Generation Ground Combat Vehicle (FANG) seek to develop the infrastructure for and conduct a series of design challenges (termed Adaptive Make Challenges) intended to precipitate open source design for a prototype of the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV),” the agency adds.

One of the main objectives driving the idea behind these factories is replacing the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFW), which has been the workhorse of the American army for many years.

Many analysts believe that DARPA is again setting the bar too high for it to reach. It may be that the same bar is actually too far for anyone to reach.

The agency is known for regularly employing the help of science-fiction authors in its brainstorming sessions, which is one of the main reasons why it is so successful.

It is known for funding projects that appear to futuristic for some, but which in the end turn out to benefits everyone.

The agency after which DARPA was inspired is called ARPA, and it is responsible for the development of a little thing called the Internet, Technology Review reports.