Logistics Research and Development Technology (Log R&D)
Abstract
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is responsible for providing the Military Services, other Federal Agencies, as well as combined and allied forces, the full spectrum of logistics, acquisition and technical services. DLA acquires, manages and provides virtually 100 percent of the consumable items the military services need to operate – including food, uniforms, fuel and energy, medical supplies, construction and barrier materials, equipment, and more than 85 percent of the military’s spare parts. DLA also provides logistics related services such as logistics information data management, the reutilization of military equipment, as well as document automation and production services. DLA R&D established five Lines of Effort (LOEs) in FY 2023. The Log R&D Program Element executes three LOEs: Logistics Operations Innovation, Predictive Analytics, Modeling & Simulation, and Smart Warehouse Modernization. The DLA Manufacturing Technology Program (P.E.0603680S) executes two LOEs: Industrial Base and Aging weapon Systems Support and 3DTechnical Data Modernization/Model Based Enterprise. The Log R&D program helps ensure that advanced logistics concepts and business processes are used to accomplish the agency’s mission with the leanest possible infrastructure. Log R&D identifies the best commercial business practices and tailors them, as necessary, into the most effective business processes for the agency. Log R&D develops and demonstrates high risk, high payoff technology that provides a significantly higher level of support at the lowest possible costs. The LOEs are closely aligned to priorities specified in the most current DLA Strategic Plan, which identifies Digital Business Transformation as one of three critical capabilities to achieve DLA’s business goals of enhancing performance, reducing costs, and becoming more predictive and data driven. This critical capability also seeks to transform systems and processes to improve data transparency, reliability, and security for our employees, customers, and suppliers. DLA’s initiatives within this critical capability align with the National Security Strategy (NSS) by emphasizing the importance of harnessing rapid emerging technologies that will transform how DLA does business. - Logistics Operations Innovation: R&D efforts to cultivate integration of innovative processes and technology into the DLA supply chains to enhance warfighter readiness and weapons system sustainment. This LOE focuses on supporting the DLA LOE 4: Modernized Acquisition and Supply Chain Management, while also investment in cross-cutting supply chain efforts, to include fuel quality and alternative fuel sources, or emergent needs that impact DLA’s ability to effectively support the warfighter through the following portfolios: Energy Readiness Program (ERP), Acquisition Modernization Technology Research (AMTR), and Supply Chain Management and Sustainability (SCMS). - Predictive Analytics, Modeling & Simulation: R&D efforts develop predictive analytic solutions using data and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ ML) to solve high-impact problems, improve business operations, and provide actionable strategies to inform business decisions. Primarily focused on the DLA Strategic Plan Critical Capability C: Digital Business Transformation, these LOE efforts cut across DLA Strategic Plan LOE 1: Warfighter Always, LOE2: Trusted Mission Partner, and LOE 4: Modernized Acquisition and Supply Chain Management, supporting the warfighter through the Logistics Technology Research (LTR) portfolio of projects. - Smart Warehouse Modernization: R&D efforts to modernize distribution and disposition operations through infusion of smart-warehousing, interconnected technologies, and automation. This LOE is dedicated to one of the primary focus areas of DLA’s Critical Capability for Digital Business Transformation: warehousing modernization through efforts within the Strategic Distribution and Disposition (SDD) portfolio of projects. DLA’s focus for this budget cycle highlights advanced capabilities in digital and technical data modernization, management and analytics to transform DLA Business Processes to lower the Agency’s material acquisition and operation costs along with improving weapons systems support.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0603712S_3_0400_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2025 Internal Reallocation: Logistics Operations Innovation (LOI) baseline was increased by $2.000 million to initiate programs for Class IV Supply Chain and DLA Disposition, expand Acquisition Modernization Technology Research. FY 2025 Program Decrease: Reduction to fund higher DoD priorities.
- Service Agency Name
- Defense Logistics Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Logistics Agency
Related Documents
- Child Project: Logistics Operations Innovation
- Child Accomplishment: Logistics Operations Innovation Line of Effort (R&D LOE 4)
- Child Project: Predictive Analytics / Modeling & Simulation
- Child Accomplishment: Predictive Analytics, Modeling & Simulation Line of Effort (R&D LOE 3)
- Child Project: Smart-Warehouse Modernization
- Child Accomplishment: Smart Warehouse Modernization Line of Effort (R&D LOE 5)