The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
April 23, 2026
Step Inside the Conversations Shaping Tomorrow’s Force at the SFPM!
Join the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS) for the 2026 Surface Force Projection Meeting (SFPM) — where strategy meets execution. Under the theme “Projecting Power in a Globally Contested Environment — Ideas into Action,” this year’s program goes beyond discussion, delivering high-impact insights and real-world solutions for strengthening surface force projection and national defense.
As an added highlight, two classified sessions will offer a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders and decision-makers on the most sensitive and consequential challenges facing the enterprise. On behalf of the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), your organization is invited to take part in these secure briefings.
Access to the classified sessions requires attendees to submit a Visit Access Request (VAR) through ARTRANS or the Maritime Administration by Friday, May 8, 2026, to verify security clearance.
Check out the ARTRANS letter of invitation for more details on the classified briefings at the SFPM and the steps for submitting the VAR here. Secure your spot, review the full agenda and register today!
(transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $2.04 billion investment into the modernization of America’s rail infrastructure. Investments will support improving rail travel experiences for American families, as well as the transportation of goods with greater safety, efficiency, and reliability.
The Department will support projects that:
- Reduce congestion
- Jumpstart ridership growth on passenger railroads
- Improve regional railroad infrastructure
- Develop safety programs to prevent trespassing and reduce injuries and fatalities […READ MORE…]
(transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Department Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a $4.7 billion investment into rail projects on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to enhance travel for American families. This funding will help revitalize our nation’s iconic rail hubs–including New York Penn Station and Washington Union Station–as a part of President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s commitment to usher in the Golden Age of American Rail. […READ MORE…]
(transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today launched the Freedom to Drive initiative: an opportunity for states to collaborate with USDOT on tackling increasing congestion corridors across America. This national effort aims to save American families time and money by focusing on maximizing roadway capacities, fast-tracking projects that alleviate congestion chokepoints, and leveraging American technology and private-sector partnerships. […READ MORE…]
Pentagon Seeks Funds for Golden Dome, Drones, AI in Largest-ever Budget Request
(marinecorpstimes.com) The Department of Defense unveiled a $1.5 trillion budget proposal for fiscal 2027 — a 42% year-over-year increase and the most expensive military outlay in modern history.
“We’re facing one of the most complex and dangerous threat environments in our nation’s 250-year history,” Jules J. Hurst III, the under secretary of war and chief financial officer, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. “Our adversaries are rapidly advancing capabilities across every warfighting domain: in the air, land, sea, space and cyberspace, while years of underinvestment has strained our industrial base.” […READ MORE…]
USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter
In this issue, the USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter features:
- Suspected Chinese Breach of FBI System Exposed Surveillance Targets’ Phone Numbers
- Why Small Municipalities Have Become Cybercriminals’ Favorite Prey
- UK Exposes Russian Military Intelligence Hijacking Vulnerable Routers for Cyber Attacks
- FCC Pushes New Rules to Crack Down on Robocallers, Foreign Call Centers
- USTRANSCOM DIB TSPs Community of Interest: Join Today for Access to Non-Publicly Available Threat and Cybersecurity Report
- Iran-linked Actors Target Middle Eastern City Governments to Undermine Missile-strike Responses
- Lawmakers Question VPN Impact on Americans’ FISA Surveillance Protections
- North Korea-linked Hackers Suspected in Axios Open-source Hijack, Google Analysts say
- Chinese Hackers Target European Governments in Espionage Campaigns
- EU Wants to Support Bedrock Cyber Vulnerability Program, Top Official says
- Claude Code Source Leak Exploited to Spread Malware
- 34,000 Shipping Routes Diverted from Hormuz Disruption: Report
- New Phishing Platform Used in Credential Theft Campaigns Against C-Suite Execs
- New Contract for Background Investigations Raises Concerns About Scale and Risk
Editor’s Picks
U.S. Army Chinook Helicopter Lands Autonomously Without Pilot Input
(interestingengineering.com) The U.S. Army has taken a significant step toward operational autonomy after a CH-47F Chinook completed its first fully automated approach and landing with no pilot input. The demonstration used Boeing’s Approach-to-X (A2X) autonomy software, showing the aircraft can deliver precise, repeatable landings under real-world conditions.
Air Force Extends 3 A-10 Squadrons, Each Expected to Keep 18 Warthogs
(militarytimes.com) The U.S. Air Force is going to keep the A-10 Warthog in service through 2030, Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink announced Monday on X, reversing a retirement timeline set to conclude in 2029. “In consultation with [Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth], we will EXTEND the A-10 ‘Warthog’ platform to 2030. This preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production.”
AI Moving from Back Office to Driver’s Seat in Trucking Operations
(freightwaves.com) The trucking industry’s slow shift from manual workflows to digital operations is entering a new phase — one where artificial intelligence is no longer just analyzing freight data but beginning to execute core tasks traditionally handled by dispatchers and back-office staff. For carriers and brokers, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how quickly they can integrate it into workflows without losing control.
U.S. Navy Destroyer Fires on Cargo Vessel Attempting to Sail to Iranian Port
(militarytimes.com) A U.S. Navy destroyer operating in the Arabian Sea enforced the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports on Sunday when it fired on a cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port.
The Iranian-flagged M/V Touska was transiting the north Arabian Sea toward Bandar Abbas, Iran, when it was intercepted by the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance and issued warnings that it was in violation of the blockade, U.S. Central Command announced on Sunday.
U.S. Coast Guard to Homeport First Two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska
(gCaptain.com) The U.S. Coast Guard will homeport its first two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska, marking a key step as the service moves to field a new generation of icebreakers aimed at expanding U.S. presence in the Arctic. The announcement comes as the Coast Guard prepares for delivery of the first Arctic Security Cutters by the end of 2028, with planning already underway.
AAR Launches Airvoyant℠, an AI-driven Procurement Platform for Airlines and MROs
(www.aarcorp.com) AAR CORP. announced the launch of Airvoyant, an AI-powered aviation procurement solution that connects buyers directly to suppliers, searches available inventory, requests, and consolidates quotes, and guides users to a streamlined, one-click purchasing decision. Built for airlines and MROs, the platform directly integrates with Aeroxchange’s extensive ecosystem of more than 5,000 suppliers and automates the traditionally manually parts sourcing process.
ABS and UNITED WATERWAYS Announce Planned Joint Venture to Advance Maritime Training
ABS and UNITED WATERWAYS (UW) have signed a letter of intent to establish a joint venture with River Academy, UW’s training, and education subsidiary, to support crew competence and qualification across the European inland barge, river cruise, and coastal vessel sectors. The collaboration will enhance workforce readiness as European operators navigate evolving safety and decarbonization requirements in cruise, freight, and ferry shipping.
SIXT Partners with Signature Aviation to Expand Presence in European Aviation Market
(sixt.com) SIXT, a global provider of premium mobility services, is strengthening its presence in high-value international travel corridors through a strategic partnership with Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals. The partnership initially covers more than 30 Signature Aviation locations across Europe and represents a further step in SIXT’s international growth strategy.
UPS Expands Deployment of Automated Package Sensors to Improve Tracking
(freightwaves.com) United Parcel Service has completed the second-phase deployment of radio frequency identification package sensing technology across its small package network, boosting productivity by eliminating the need for handheld scans and giving shippers better ability to closely track the status of parcels from drop-off to delivery.
RFID sensors are installed in all UPS package delivery vehicles in the United States, in delivery stations and on every package shipped through more than 5,500 UPS Store locations.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.