Deployment & Distribution Enterprise R&D

Annual investment in emerging technologies to enhance the ability to globally project and sustain the joint warfighter/address Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) and Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE) challenges. Includes contribution to Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs.

This funding supports the demonstration of funded airdrop capabilities.

A system that is lightweight, compact, and readily deployable in expeditionary operations and enables the quick deployment of fuel hoses for ship-to-shore transfer of bulk petroleum in friendly or contested environments. Technical Lead Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock.

Develop Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and Windows Tactical Assault Kit (WINTAK) for United States Army (USA), Air Force (USAF), Marine Corps (USMC), Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and other services or organizations conducting airdrop operations. Lead technical partner is U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Developing USTRANSCOM's model of record for all programmatic analysis for transportation/distribution.

A highly transportable, heavy-lift, autonomous material handling system. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Create succinct summaries of related information samples, facilitating improved information discovery and understanding.

Capability to airdrop the Internal airlift/helicopter Slingable-Container Unit (ISU) from large, fixed-wing mobility aircraft. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

An autonomous long-range, low-cost, one-time use powered glider resupply vehicle which can be deployed from cargo aircraft, rotorcraft, ships, or from the ground. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Integrated solution that automatically sources, processes, synthesizes, and distributes data to aerial resupply vehicles. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Joint capability to counter asymmetric A2/AD seaport degradation activities by building on a suite of demonstrated port assessment and pier repair tools. Technical Partner Engineering Research and Development Command.

Demonstrate a low size, weight, power and cost kit that can provide GPS-denied navigation, aerial delivery platforms. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

A versatile, high speed, utilitarian craft with deployable bow ramp capable of delivering 14K / 20K of cargo over 400 nm to the littorals/ports at 20 kts in sea state 3. Technical Partner USCENTCOM.

Demonstrate a long range powered parafoil system to reduce risk to delivery aircraft. Technical lead U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Aid selection of a Landing Zone/Drop Zone (LZ/DZ) by presenting the user with a map-based course of action decision tool, at point of need. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Developmnent Command.

Enable the airdrop of a standard 20ft ISO container from a C-17 utilizing standard low altitude airdrop methods. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Use indigenous materials for contingency construction while minimizing logistics required to enable the construction. Technical Partner Engineering Research and Development Command.

Tactical Situation, COP, mission planning, intelligence, communications resiliency, ship survivability capabilities. Technical Partner U.S. Navy Naval Service Warfare Center.

Develop scalable modular propulsion kits with marine automation for installation on ocean/riverine commercial barges. Technical partner is U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center.

Funds contract support for Air Mobility Command to support the development of advanced technologies to improve airdrop, aerial refueling, patient evacuation and other global mission in support of the joint warfighter.

Focus on masking structured data, building an organizational knowledge base, and masking unstructured data in USTRANSCOM systems.

Partnership with MIT-LL to research efforts to improve enterprise operational architecture supporting high-end analytics, integrated information technology/data structures, understanding of cloud capabilities and multi-level cyber security defense. Algorithm and Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations being spirally transitioned to numerous USTRANSCOM and Component systems/environments.

Funds Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) student research/faculty-assisted projects (e.g., Joint Transportation Asset Scheduling Kit, Next Generation Cargo Capability, Applying Post Modern Portfolio Theory to Mitigate Risk in International Shipping, Optimal CH-47/C-130 Workload Balance, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Performing Airdrop Mission). Focused on USTRANSCOM staff provided research needs that address Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) and Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE) challenges.

Develop command & control (C2) software front-end plug-ins that will be compatible with extended range aerial delivery vehicles, integrated Mission Planning (MP) support that is interoperable with selected C2 platform(s) to enable near real time evaluation of mission progress leveraging vehicle performance models, airdrop models, and route optimization algorithms, C2 communications hardware (non-developmental/commercial off the shelf) including ground stations, radios, and vehicle hardware, and payload tracking, and Joint Precision Airdrop long-range software and hardware updates to support C2 interoperability. Technical Partner: U.S. Army Capabilities Development Command.

Provide technical assistance and program management support to the USTRANSCOM RDT&E Program. Coordinate with Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) / Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE) partners on project execution, monitoring costs, scope, schedule, and performance. Fund Government travel in support of Program Management.

Develop a JDDE-wide method for mission coordination. Technical partner Air Force Research Lab.

Near real-time understanding of the operational impact of cyber risks, threats, and disruptions. Technical partners are Air Force Research Lab and USCYBERCOM. Operational leads are USINDOPACOM and Air Mobility Command.

Deliver mature prototypes of designs and system-level procedures for commercial space transportation integration with the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE). The objectives both leverage and augment the science and technology (S&T) development of the Air Force Research Lab/U.S. Space Force Rocket Cargo Vanguard program by accelerating technology transition and process development for use of space transportation in Joint operations.

Air distribution to remote, austere locations for small loads poorly suited to C-130 efficiency. Use of unmanned light aircraft for cargo movement to the tactical edge will call for non-aerial port personnel to perform basic aircraft loading and load planning. Employment of a customized tool supports system velocity. Project provides a unique, emerging Rapid Distribution Technology (a JDDE challenge), that directly supports the employment of uncrewed, optionally piloted aircraft for light cargo distribution and is particularly relevant to retrograde cargo operations. Technical partner United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

An integrated and automated resupply planning and execution system that streamlines and accelerates the responsiveness of emergency aerial resupply by minimizing human in the loop decision making. Project facilitates rapid/accurate decision making, at the tactical edge. Technical partner U.S. Army Capabilities Development Command.

Developing a capability to rapidly generate unclassified data that has a similar structure to existing classified data sets within the command. This automatic data generation framework will allow for the creation of large, synthetic data sets that can be used for a variety of purposes, including training exercises, system testing, and other activities that require data that is not necessarily identical to current operational data.

Demonstrate a proof-of-concept architecture facilitating end-to-end bi-directional linkages between selected tactical and operational tools. This approach ensures end users retain access to tools tailored to their needs while benefitting from the cumulative wisdom of networked tools. Technical partner United States Marine Corps.

Component-level Air Forces (AFFOR) Command and Control and processes for full-spectrum competition against high end adversaries. CODA will leverage prior AFRL research, organizational development techniques, and state of the art technologies to equip the AFFOR with capabilities which contribute to closing this performance gap and enabling USTRANSCOM's air component to meet anticipated and emerging maneuver requirements of the joint force. Develop detailed decision support tool that provides insight at the component level. Technical partner is U.S. Air Force Research Lab.

Annual investment in emerging technologies to enhance the ability to globally project and sustain the joint warfighter/address Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) and Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE) challenges. Includes contribution to Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program.

Develop ability to autonomously/discretely pull fuel lines ashore in Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) events in a contested logistics scenario. Technical partner is Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock.

Research and physical testing needed to gather and analyze data for improving Entry Control Facilities (ECF) design and operations, improve road safety on installations and reduce overall costs.

Prototype consisting of the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO/RO) ramp to interface to a commercial supply vessel and a section of floating causeway and ancillary equipment sufficient to conduct a limited operational assessment. Technical partner is Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock.

Develop capabilities to airdrop from 35 thousand feet to increase aircraft standoff range from threat. Technical partner is U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Funds contract support for Air Mobility Command to support the development of advanced technologies to improve airdrop, aerial refueling, patient evacuation and other global mission in support of the joint warfighter.

Platform for air dropping multiple vehicles. Utilize existing airdrop platform paradigm to generate a 40-ft platform and demo example payloads through flight testing as proof of concept. Technical partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Positioning system for sealift lighterage assets to enhance operational safety and maximize efficiency. Leverages autonomous software developments made by Navy program offices. Technical partner is Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division.

Focus on masking structured data, building an organizational knowledge base, and masking unstructured data.

Capability to effectively secure mission and operational data over non-classified internet protocols while communicate with commercial partners/vendors for defense-related mission needs and sustainment support for USTRANSCOM operations in support of other CCMDs. Technical partner is Air Force Research Lab.

Partnership with MIT-LL to research efforts to improve enterprise operational architecture supporting high-end analytics, integrated information technology/data structures, understanding of cloud capabilities and multi-level cyber security defense. Algorithm and AI innovations being spirally transitioned to numerous USTRANSCOM and Component systems/environments.

Funds Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) student research/faculty-assisted projects (e.g., Joint Transportation Asset Scheduling Kit, Next Generation Cargo Capability, Applying Post Modern Portfolio Theory to Mitigate Risk in International Shipping, Optimal CH-47/C-130 Workload Balance, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Performing Airdrop Mission). Focused on USTRANSCOM staff provided research needs that address Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) and Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE) challenges.

Initiative seeks to improve data quality, detect anomalies, and enhance decision support.

Ability to deliver and deploy unmanned systems without personnel on the ground will significantly enhance the ability to employ autonomous vehicles and provide greater flexibility to commanders while keeping ground forces out of harms way. Technical partner is U.S. Army Development Command.

Provide technical assistance and program management support to the USTRANSCOM RDT&E Program. Coordinate with Joint Deployment and distribution partners on project execution, monitoring costs, scope, schedule, and performance. Fund Government travel in support of Program Management.

Provide a deeper understanding of the risk anomalous data can pose on mission operations via machine learning, rule-based analytics and statistical models to address unknown anomalies.

Provide ability more effectively and efficiently manage theater lift assets. Technical partner was U.S. Army Combat Development Command Ground Vehicles.

Effort will provide the ability to assess deployment distribution risk factors. Vetting of foreign vendors serving as prime or subcontractors on US contracts. Operational lead is USCENTCOM.

Component-level Air Forces (AFFOR) Command and Control and processes for full-spectrum competition against high end adversaries. CODA will leverage prior AFRL research, organizational development techniques, and state of the art technologies to equip the AFFOR with capabilities which contribute to closing this performance gap and enabling USTRANSCOM's air component to meet anticipated and emerging maneuver requirements of the joint force. Develop detailed decision support tool that provides insight at the component level. Technical partner is U.S. Air Force Research Lab.

Enable continuous tracking of adversary cyber groups and campaigns targeting USTRANSCOM and USINDOPACOM enterprise and their partners. Technical partners are USCYBERCOM and Air Force Research Lab. Operational lead is USINDOPACOM.

Near real-time understanding of the operational impact of cyber risks, threats, and disruptions. Technical partners are Air Force Research Lab and USCYBERCOM. Operational leads are USINDOPACOM and Air Mobility Command.

Onboard defensive/ISR capability for operations in contested environment. A drone delivery mechanism capable of launching unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from a KC-135 in flight to provide an onboard defensive capability. A prototype integrating a common launch tube (CLT) with a modified KC-135 aft hatch door to produce and determine the viability of this concept.

Develop Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and Windows Tactical Assault Kit (WINTAK) for United States Army (USA), Air Force (USAF), Marine Corps (USMC), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and other services or organizations conducting airdrop operations. Lead technical partner is U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Demonstrate a low size, weight, power and cost kit that can provide Global Positioning System (GPS) denied navigation, aerial delivery platforms. Technical Partner U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Use of drones to monitor and optimize deployment and distribution operations. Drone mapping technology for capturing data for input to systems such as the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) and the Transportation Geospatial Information System (TGIS).

Provide an agile, submersible over-the-shore conduit that can be pre-positioned or immediately employed from vessels of opportunity such as a commercial offshore supply vessel (OSV). Technical partner is Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock.

Demonstrate a long range powered parafoil system to reduce risk to delivery aircraft. Technical partner is U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

3-year project to enable the airdrop of a standard 20ft International Standard Organization (ISO) container from a C-17 utilizing standard low altitude airdrop methods. Technical partner is U.S. Army Combat Development Command.

Develop scalable modular propulsion kits with marine automation for installation on ocean/riverine commercial barges. Technical partner is U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center.