The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
April 29, 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!
Transcom Turns to AI-enabled Logistics, Data-driven Planning as Middle East Disruptions Intensify
(defensescoop.com) It’s no secret that Operation Epic Fury and the associated war in the Middle East have sparked major disruptions in the complex, global logistics network that U.S. Transportation Command relies on to move, equip and support the joint force.
But according to its commander Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, those disturbances are also enabling Transcom and its military partners to integrate and refine their joint logistics operations and expand deployments of real-time data and AI-enabled visualization assets.
“Using information technology and some ‘smart’ systems of various kinds, that’s helped — one, for us to maintain visibility, to connect to the other contributing combatant commands, to get a common understanding of what’s occurring, and then also use that to help speed up the development of options and decisions,” Reed told DefenseScoop. […READ MORE…]
USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter
This issue features the following hot topics:
- Pentagon Pulls the Plug on One of the Military’s Most Troubled Space Programs
- Strengthening Maritime Cybersecurity: Join USTRANSCOM’s Tabletop Exercise at Cyber Storm X
- US Push to Counter Hackers Draws Industry Deeper into Offensive Cyber Debate
- A Russian Space Nuke was Focus of US wargame, Space Command says
- USTRANSCOM DIB TSPs Community of Interest: Join Today for Access to Non-Publicly Available Threat and Cybersecurity Reports
- Pro-Iran Hackers Appear to Increase Critical Infrastructure Cyberattacks
- Expect More Cybersecurity Executive Orders Soon, National Cyber Director says
- US has Lost its Maritime Focus, says FMC’s DiBella
- NCSC Outlines Coordinated Plan to Boost NHS Cyber Resilience
- Anthropic’ s Glasswing Initiative Raises Questions for US Cyber Operations
- The Gentlemen Ransomware Expands with Rapid Affiliate Growth
- Unchecked AI Agents Cause Cybersecurity Incidents at Two Thirds of Firms
- Vercel Breached via Compromised Third-Party AI Tool
- Treasury Debuts Effort to Share Cyber Threat Intel with Crypto Firms
ATTENTION: ARTRANS GFM USERS
This announcement applies to all U.S. Army Transportation Command Global Freight Management (GFM) Users. Please see the attached Customer Advisory Update 1, providing an extension.
ARTRANS Note:
It is imperative that all users who still require access to GFM complete the process outlined in the advisory ASAP as it is unlikely that an additional extension will be approved.
Users who do not complete this process by Wednesday, May 13, 2026, will lose access to GFM. While we will be able to restore accounts after the fact, it will not be immediate and freight opportunities could be missed.
Editor’s Picks
U.S. Army Eyes a Heavier, Hybrid-powered Infantry Squad Vehicle
The Army is planning to bulk up its lightweight Infantry Squad Vehicle with a heavier, hybrid-powered variant, according to a federal contracting notice.
The service wants to add 606 ISV-Heavy vehicles to its existing fleet of roughly 1,105 ISVs through a three-contract effort, signaling a shift in how it intends to use the platform.
U.S. Army Seeks ‘Last Mile’ Robot for Medevac and Resupply
(armytimes.com) Moving supplies and evacuating casualties from the edge of the front lines — the proverbial “last mile” — has becoming increasingly hazardous. In addition to fire from traditional weapons like artillery, machine guns, and snipers, drones now present a threat. The service is seeking an unmanned ground vehicle that can handle both casualty evacuation and resupply for tactical units.
U.S. Navy Tests Modular Laser Counter-drone system, Downs Targets at Sea
(interestingengineering.com) The U.S. Navy is accelerating its push into directed energy weapons as drone threats grow more complex and persistent. In its latest move, the service has tested a high-energy laser system at sea, signaling a shift toward faster, lower-cost counter-drone defenses that do not rely on traditional munitions. The development reflects a broader Pentagon effort to counter low-cost, high-volume aerial threats.
New 51 mph-speeding Drone Boat Can Carry Missiles, 10,000-lb. Payload
(interestingengineering.com) Baltimore-based BlackSea Technologies unveiled its heavily armed Comet unmanned surface vessel during the Sea-Air-Space exposition near Washington, D.C., on Sunday, showcasing a combat-ready platform designed for both air defense and maritime strike roles.
Industry Floods into Autonomous Vessel Race as U.S. Navy Opens MUSV Marketplace
(gcaptain.com) A wave of announcements from defense technology firms, shipbuilders, and autonomy specialists is rapidly transforming the U.S. Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program into one of the most competitive maritime defense races in decades. From global shipbuilding alliances to new high-end unmanned platforms, the industry is moving in lockstep toward a single objective of delivering autonomous vessels at speed and scale.
Maersk Suspends Shipments, Disrupting Key Horn of Africa Trade Corridor
Global container shipping giant A.P. Moller–Maersk has temporarily suspended new cargo bookings to and from the Port of Berbera in Somaliland, disrupting a fast-growing inland trade corridor linking the Horn of Africa’s coastal gateways to Ethiopia’s import-reliant economy. It will temporarily suspend acceptance of new bookings to and from the Port of Berbera, effective immediately, due to scheduling changes. However, Maersk stressed that existing shipments will not be affected.
MITRE and The Weather Company Announce Collaboration to Advance Global Weather Intelligence
(mitre.org) A new strategic collaboration between MITRE and The Weather Company (TWCo) aims to advance weather forecasting by incorporating high-resolution weather data into advanced AI-based forecasting tools. Increased detail and accuracy in forecasts could improve decision making for industry and government.
(investors.saic.com) Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has been awarded a new $75.2 million task order under the General Services Administration (GSA) Personnel and Readiness Infrastructure Support Management (PRISM) contract to provide critical support to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This contract expands on SAIC’s two decades of trusted collaboration with the Navy to advance critical equipment and systems needed by our warfighters.
SEACORP Proudly Sponsors Commissioning of USS Massachusetts
(seacorp.com) On March 28, 2026, SEACORP, LLC, based in Middletown RI, was honored to attend and sponsor the commissioning of the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798). The ceremony took place at the Conley Terminal in South Boston.
The USS Massachusetts brings significant warfighting capability to the U.S. Navy, underscoring the nation’s asymmetrical advantage at sea. Virginia-class submarines feature enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements that enable them to meet a wide range of multi-mission requirements.
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