Advantages of Advanced Technology for Contested Maritime Logistics
Abstract
Great Power Competition in the Indo-Pacific Region presents unique challenges to logistics, particularly in the maritime domain. Current maritime logistics platforms lack of capability and capacity represent a U.S. critical vulnerability to sustain the joint force. However, emerging technologies can help close these gaps. AI can assist humans in routing, load planning, provide vessel control, and enable rapid data aggregation and decision-making at a competitive battlefield pace. By automating the force allocation and supply distribution dynamically across logistics nodes, AI will enable critical materiel to arrive in the right place and time. Augmented command and decision speed is critical to achieving and sustaining a competitive tempo. Automated cargo delivery at sea and the land/sea interface achieves both risk reduction and increased effectiveness. Replacing human operators with automated systems manages risk to force. Automated cranes and vehicles can load and discharge cargo with tireless efficiency. Fielding resilient systems with redundancy in critical systems means the warfighter can count on their sustainment. The commonality of parts, automated maintenance actions, and commercial-off-the-shelf solutions avoid bottlenecks in the delivery stream and enable favorable tooth-to-tail ratios. Affordable production of logistics platforms means more systems can be in place at the start of a campaign and more capacity added should the need arise. Finally, a large enough pool of vessels that are cost-effective, easily serviceable, repairable, and relatively easy to replace contribute to system resiliency. Current advanced technology can fill gaps in maritime logistics while more holistic solutions address institutional gaps. Employing artificial intelligence, automated equipment, and resilient systems can effectively enable the Joint Force commander to control logistics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1154024
Entities
People
- Matthew D Hoekstra
Organizations
- National Defense University