Exploring the Impact of Fuel Data Acquisition Technology on the USMC Expeditionary Energy Command and Control System
Abstract
Marine Corps commanders have inadequate tools for energy awareness on the battlefield. The purpose of this study is to explore how vehicle telematics could impact operational reach through improving awareness of fuel stocks from hours to near-real time. The research uses an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to establish how current practices may change with the introduction of telematics. The first-phase qualitative findings suggest that the tactical fuel supply chain is inherently unstable due to information delays and information processing distortion. The second phase tests the hypothesis that telematics has a positive effect on operational reach. This is accomplished through a supply chain simulation that compares the current process against a reengineered solution with telematics. Between the two models, the reengineered supply chain produced the opportunity for higher tempo, more agile combat units, and increased system stability. While these are desirable effects, operational reach was reduced by 7% as fuel was more available to combat units. In addition to fuel-saving initiatives that telematics may inform, there may be long-term benefits that warrant the full integration of fuel telematics throughout the military supply chain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1030089
Entities
People
- Jeremy F. Thomas
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School