Enhancing Analysis, Modeling, and Decision Support
Abstract
The Strategic Distribution and Disposition (SDD) program continued to lay the groundwork for DLA’s Smart Warehouses. During FY 2021, SDD met with vendors and potential vendors, and continued research of the technologies required to implement smart warehousing solutions. The SDD program provided applied research, analytical and decision support to DLA Distribution and Disposition Services and provided support to the Distribution Modernization Program (DMP). Additionally, SDD will continue to engage with Industry, Department of Defense (DOD) sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and University-Affiliated Research Center Laboratories (UARCs) leveraging subject-matter expertise in key areas of research such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality, and Autonomous/Robotics systems. SDD will continue to incorporate Integrate Project Teams (IPT) for project collaboration and Integrated System Engineering concepts (test and evaluation) into Distribution projects. - During FY 2021, the SDD Program completed in research of an Electric Yard Truck for DLA Distribution. The purpose of this project is to perform a proof of concept in DLA Distribution San Joaquin, CA (DDJC) to test and evaluate to determine the feasibility of replacing conventional fossil-fueled trucks with the alternative electric truck technologies. - The SDD Program completed Phase I of the LocatorX Automated Warehouse Inventory Management case study which successfully proved a materiel solution that will enable and provide the logistics capabilities that deliver the supply chain and distribution support necessary to meet the demands of the Warfighter whenever and wherever required while incorporating into an enterprise architecture solution. Phase II of the LocatorX project will focus on Sensor IoT technology research which began in the 4th Quarter, FY 2021. - SDD progressed through the Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Augmented Reality (AR) case study to prove out DLA’s acquisition approach for implementing AR technology in the Warehouse Picking process. This project continued to develop a prototype augmented reality system in a DLA warehouse environment and will provide a proof of concept to ascertain the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of using AR to improve inventory efficiency. This project is planned for completion in the 2nd Quarter, FY 2022. - In April 2021, the SDD Program kicked-off an SBIR AGV Phase I project for an innovative indoor-outdoor mule-style AGV, developed/acquired in conjunction with other DOD partners. This project will serve as the pilot and proof of concept though test and evaluation at DLA Distribution Corpus Christi, TX (DDCT) and Hill Air Force Base, UT (DDHU) to ascertain the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of AGVs. - During 4th Quarter, FY 2021, SDD began a Phase I case study to evaluate the application of a DLA Warehouse Inventory Drone. The study intends to identify a range of alternative warehouse drone solutions. The vendor will work with end-users to understand the use case requirements, evaluate the warehouse inventory drone pilot through research, provide DLA with the most feasible and beneficial solution to identify inventory capability gaps and optimize the study’s outcome. - During 4th Quarter, FY 2021, a SBIR Phase I project began work to test the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Distribution Center Warehouses, current DLA inventory management is manual with some machinery to help move inventory. This use case will study and analyze the use of AI and its potential applications to manage and guide end-use systems such as automated arms, robots, augmented reality for inventory management and other performance applications. - SDD Program also initiated planning for projects for technologies that address Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), In-Transit Visibility (ITV), AI imbedded Robotic Arms, Warehouse Performance Management, 5G Networks, and a Systems of Systems Smart Warehouse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- cf57e9132e6a94dbaa900e3de2b60396