Page 46: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2026)

TECH FEATURE

All images courtesy Fairbanks Morse Defense

HOW COBOTS CAN

HELP FIX THE NAVY'S

MAINTENANCE CRISIS

By Nirav Patel avies around the world are under pressure to ex- signed to work alongside skilled human technicians to enhance tend the lifespan of their ? eets at a time of in- the safety, speed and precision of their work. These dynamic, creased deployment cycles and labor shortages. modular platforms are not replacing workers, but providing

Fleet readiness is paramount, and maintenance invaluable support with repetitive, high-stress repairs. has become one of the biggest bottlenecks. “Robotic welding represents a fundamental shift in how we

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A recent demonstration for the U.S. Navy showed that tra- approach ? eet sustainment,” said Keith Haasl, President of ditional welding methods can no longer keep pace with the Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) Service and Technology. “It demands of ? eet sustainment. But a new ally is emerging in allows us to complete repairs faster, more accurately and more repair yards: the cobot. safely than ever before. That fundamental shift is already de-

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are portable systems de- livering measurable results in naval repair operations.” 46 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • February 2026

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