Joint Enable Theater Access Seaports of Debarkation (JETA-SPOD)
Abstract
The Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) validated the need for JETA-SPOD capabilities in FY 2006. The outcome of JETA-SPOD is to develop and demonstrate: a Lightweight Modular Causeway System (LMCS) transportable by and employable from intra-theater sealift vessels such as the JHSV or other current Army/Navy watercraft; and an austere port Decision Support Tool for selection of optimal sites from multiple austere SPOD options. The capabilities proposed for development in this ACTD will optimize the use of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), current Army/Naval watercraft, and Lines of Communication (LOC) bridging requirements by providing increased and more rapid flow of combat power and sustainment through multiple theater austere seaport locations. This provides to Joint/ Combined Force (J/CFC) commanders a means to mitigate threat anti-access activities and increases flexibility to conduct operational maneuver from strategic distances. JETA-SPOD ACTD is a three-year project under sponsorship of U.S. Pacific Command, with completion of development and demonstration by end of FY2008; and transition to U.S. logistics systems as early as FY2009. The lead service is Army. The primary outputs and efficiencies to be demonstrated in the ACTD Military Utility Assessment (MUA) are: 1)the LMCS will reduce weight, volume, and deployment time compared to existing military causeway and bridging systems; 2) the operational parameters for evaluating the military utility of the LMCS are based on a quantitative and qualitative comparison to the capability provided by the existing Modular Causeway System (MCS); 3) LMCS will result in a reduction in weight and volume by 50 percent over the MCS; a reduction in deployment time by 50 percent over the MCS; and elimination of in-water connections; 4) the Decision Support Tool capability equates to an increase in availability of throughput prediction information for 50-80 percent of worldwide small ports; and 5) the combination of LMCS and the Decision Support Tool includes a five-fold increase in the number of JHSV-compatible ports and doubling of the port throughput rate. LMCS Output includes incorporation of state-of-the-art connector and tensioning technology; innovative emplacement and recovery system applicable to multiple military/ civilian platforms; innovative self-locking and strap tensioning technologies; high strength fabrics for robust, lightweight floatation technology that quickly inflates/deflates for rapid LMCS emplacement and recovery; puncture/abrasion resistant floatation components; lightweight decking materials; and common 8x20 rapid transport footprint design. The efficiency is that the transport (land/sea) cost of moving causeway capabilities into austere SPODs will be significantly reduced; and causeway capabilities will arrive in theater more rapidly with a smaller logistics footprint. Austere Port Decision Support Tool Output includes query-able austere world port data; a port characterization model; rapid port enhancement tool; austere port throughput simulation; a comprehensive set of environmental and physical factors affecting ingress/egress throughput rates; and parametric algorithms for throughput rates in small ports and rates for planning and execution of vessel offload operations; developed with an open source tool; user friendly Graphical User Interfaces (GUI); and runs on a laptop computer. The efficiency is that the warfighter will possess flexibility and a broader range of options to establish austere seaports as strategic or operational maneuver entry points with a greater assurance of success. The transition strategy for LMCS and the Decision Support Tool is to establish Programs of Record under the guidance of two Transition Managers: Product Director, Army Watercraft Systems (PD AWS) and USTRANSCOM, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- dc975a4c4c17a37bd13ba18b9f808a2c