Posted on May 9, 2017
can-autonomy-help-solve-the-armys-logistics-challenges
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If you took an honest assessment where tactical logistics stands today you might ask why make this (sustainment) even harder than it is. Today at any rotation at NTC, JRTC, or JMRC, BCTs are struggling with one of the war fighting functions- Sustainment. There are thousands of pages of why units are struggling and SCoE and MCoE have consistently looked the other way and now its a new toy of autonomous sustainment delivery that have gained their attention. So, if a BCT can't sustain itself today how will autonomous systems make it any better. You will still need someone to coordinate logistics and distribution and somehow control the network. We have SPOs that can't even draft up a Concept of Support and BCT S4s that think their job is being the personal coffee assistant to the BCT Commander. Distribution Companies that are unable to conduct their core METL task of Distribution, and FSCs that have no guidance from a Maneuver XO that has little to no background in sustainment principles or practices. There is a time and place for everything but this little jewel reflects the tone-deafness of the senior leaders in maneuver and support. GM07A 2013-2014.
can-autonomy-help-solve-the-armys-logistics-challenges
Posted from c4isrnet.com
90A: Multifunctional Logistician
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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If automation can help a unit see itself in real time, it is value added. If it can take the burden of TPS type work off people, it is value added because they will screw it up less. I have discussed many times, a sense and report based system to aid or supplant logisitics reporting to improve its accuracy. If it could translate logistics requirements into disposition instructions and asset workload optimization, it could be value added. If it could take that optimization modeling and apply that to multiple modes of distribution (CDS, LCLA, airlanding, various ground platforms, internal loads, sling load etc) and get those requests in the appropriate queueing system for those multiple modes, with the ability to be told "no" in real time, that could be value added.
If there is an unmanned aerial or ground platform that can do part of the job, I would have to see to believe. They would have to carry insensitive cargo that can afford to be interdicted, i.e. Fuel, water, MRE type cargo, as opposed to ammunition, low density repair parts, etc. it would not be a panacea as someone would have to track it and provide control input when the programming peters out. If it did pan out operationally, it would be a mode of distribution among several. If they manage it like Army Aviation , we can plan on submitting AMRs and simultaneously planning ground movements when they are denied at the 11th hour due to weather, lack of space, vernal equinox etc.
If there is an unmanned aerial or ground platform that can do part of the job, I would have to see to believe. They would have to carry insensitive cargo that can afford to be interdicted, i.e. Fuel, water, MRE type cargo, as opposed to ammunition, low density repair parts, etc. it would not be a panacea as someone would have to track it and provide control input when the programming peters out. If it did pan out operationally, it would be a mode of distribution among several. If they manage it like Army Aviation , we can plan on submitting AMRs and simultaneously planning ground movements when they are denied at the 11th hour due to weather, lack of space, vernal equinox etc.
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LTC (Join to see)
I agree. I'd welcome the AI revolution with open arms only if FiD had nothing to do with it. And your operational logistics comment hits the target. The Army is unable to excel at a core competency due to the very leaders in charge of the system. So maybe we will see AI and Contractors lead the way to supporting Soldiers while the folks in the SCoE building are playing with remote controlled trucks.
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LTC (Join to see)
On your UAV comment for resupply. How does air space mgmt work and who coordinates? And I don't think we scared anyone off. We just might be the only log guys on the net.
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LTC (Join to see)
I think if we wanted to scare off other log folks we'd start a thread on GCSS-A and walk a requisition through from the time a component breaks to the clerk inputting the req, the S8 and G8 kabuki dance of approvals, to the retail/ wholesale process, to the PB code on the 0-26 print, to the receipt at the SSA and MRO to the customer, and then the part getting lost in the motor pool.
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"So, if a BCT can't sustain itself today how will autonomous systems make it any better." I am not familiar with the "new toy(s) of autonomous system delivery" so I can't give an educated response there. But when I think of autonomous delivery, I think of items being pushed to the Distro Companies and FSCs that the BCTs may not really need. Who is doing the forecasting? Bottom-up, or top down?
"We have SPOs that can't even draft up a Concept of Support and BCT S4s that think their job is being the personal coffee assistant to the BCT Commander." Therein lies your problem. Are the officers in those positions 90A?
"We have SPOs that can't even draft up a Concept of Support and BCT S4s that think their job is being the personal coffee assistant to the BCT Commander." Therein lies your problem. Are the officers in those positions 90A?
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