The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
August 14, 2025
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October 6-9, 2025
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August 21, 2025
The 13th annual NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting will be held October 6-9, 2025, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, MO. The Fall Meeting will include Transportation Academy educational sessions led by dynamic and experienced government and industry leaders, complementing this year’s theme: “Powering Global Deployment & Distribution — Ready, United, Decisive!” Transportation Academy sessions receive outstanding survey results every year, and we expect the trend to continue in 2025! […READ MORE…]
On June 11, Commissioner Max Vekich provided insight into the role of the Federal Maritime Commission in protecting US trades from adverse foreign influence, as well as promoting national economic security. He noted that the FMC’s recent actions and investigations in relation to Spain, chokepoints, and flags of convenience are examples of the current steps the Commission is taking to fulfill its mission. […READ MORE…]
Transportation Command Could See Expanded Contested Logistics Responsibilities Next Year
By
Gen. Randall Reed, the commander of US Transportation Command, discussed contested logistics in an exclusive interview
(Defensescoop.com) As the military’s major mover of people, weapons and aid, US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has hundreds of airlift sorties in-flight, 15 or more ships underway, at least 10 commercial tankers on hire, 1,000-plus freight shipments and 200-plus railcars enroute, and 10 patients in air evacuations on any given day
Those high-stakes operations are unfolding against a backdrop where determined enemies are increasingly trying to disrupt the command’s logistics assets, facilities and activities across the world, and in cyberspace.
“Now that adversaries have the ability to contest logistics across the entire spectrum, from point-of-origin to point-of-use — and I’ll say that again, from point-of-origin to point-of-use, and point of origin doesn’t necessarily have to be kinetic, but non-kinetic disruptions can be just as catastrophic — that means that we are now fighting to move, instead of moving to fight,” said Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander of Transcom. […READ MORE…]
CACI Lands Potential $1.64B USTRANSCOM Contract for JTMS Technical Support Services
CACI has secured a potential 10-year, $1.64 billion contract from the US Transportation Command for technical support services for the Joint Transportation Management System at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The Department of Defense said the Chantilly, Virginia-based IT company will deliver technical services to support the fielding and sustainment of the JTMS, including management of transportation and logistics operations. […READ MORE…]
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unleashes American Drone Dominance
(Transportation.gov) US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled a new proposed rule – Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). The proposal marks a milestone in safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace and will be a game changer for industries beyond transportation. Key stakeholders, leaders, and businesses are praising the move. […READ MORE…]
Image courtesy of Zoox
NHTSA Issues First-Ever Demonstration Exemption to American-Built Automated Vehicles
(Transportation.gov) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTRA) announced that the agency issued an exemption for Zoox driverless vehicles under its newly expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program. This is the first-ever exemption for American-built vehicles under the program. Secretary Duffy has made safely growing America’s autonomous vehicle capabilities a key part of his Innovation Agenda. […READ MORE…]
The NDTA North Texas Chapter, in collaboration with NDTA Houston and NDTA San Antonio, is proud to host the NDTA Texas Regional Meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
This full-day event will bring together professionals from government, military, industry, and academia across Texas for a day of strategic insight, connection, and collaboration in transportation, logistics, and supply chain operations.
Editor’s Picks
How an AI Called NITMRE Could Prevent Airlift Nightmares
(Air and Space Forces.com) ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Moving military cargo quickly across oceans is complex, requiring coordination on clearances, airfields, troop and equipment availability, and rapid communication when plans shift. Traditionally, Air Force transport and tanker crews relied on short-range radios, hindering mid-flight adjustments. This challenge was evident during the 2023 Mobility Guardian exercise. Two years later, new AI software powered by in-flight Wi-Fi enabled C-130 crews to adapt faster and operate more effectively during a major Air Force war game in the Pacific.
Navy Plan Would Build West Coast Dry Dock for Largest Carriers and Submarines Operating in Pacific
(Stars and Stripes) The Navy plans to build a new dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard that can accommodate its largest aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines into the 22nd century. Capt. John Hale, commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap, which includes the shipyard, said the plan would help ensure the Navy remains a major presence in the Seattle area well into the next century.
US Navy Launches Program to Revolutionize Unmanned Surface Fleet
The US Navy has issued a solicitation seeking industry input for its new Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) program. The initiative calls for industry partners to submit white papers or slide decks outlining capabilities and proposed solutions for this transformative unmanned vessel program.
US Marines Buy More ACV-30 Combat Vehicles
(Defence-blog) The US Marine Corps is moving forward with full-rate production of its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle armed variant, the ACV-30, awarding nearly $300 million in contracts to BAE Systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Grey Fleet Grows Faster than Enforcement Can Keep Up
(Splash247.com) The growth in the number of sanctioned ships has accelerated over the past year. Analysts at Kpler have been tracking the sanctioned fleet over the past five years. The number of vessels under sanction rose from about 370 in July 2020 to roughly 1,650 by July 2025, while the number of affected companies increased from around 60 to nearly 500, with the fastest growth coming after mid-2024.
World’s First Two-ton Electric Cargo Aircraft Cuts 10-hour Trip to Under One Hour
(InterestingEngineering) China has completed what it calls the world’s first offshore oil-platform cargo mission by a two-ton electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.
The unmanned V2000CG CarryAll took off from the coastal city of Shenzhen on Sunday, carried fresh fruit and emergency medical supplies across open water for 58 minutes, and touched down 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) away on a China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) platform.
Please join NDTA in welcoming these members:
President’s Club
Sustaining
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Trailer Bridge Executes First Operation Under USTRANSCOM PORTS Contract
Trailer Bridge recently completed its first successful operation under the U.S. Transportation Command’s (USTRANSCOM) Port Operations and Related Transportation Services (PORTS) contract, conducting stevedoring and port operations in Narvik, Norway.
The mission supported the redeployment of US military cargo from Defender 2025, Formidable Shield, and Swift Response 2025 exercises — key components of NATO’s strategic posture and readiness in Europe.
Girl Scouts of the USA and DHL Supply Chain Introduce Logistics Program for Girls
DHL Supply Chain announced its partnership with GSUSA and is committed to investing in helping girls develop life-readiness skills, while introducing them to careers in logistics.
“Together, we’re opening doors and inspiring the next generation of female c-suite change-makers,” said Jim Monkmeyer, president of transportation for DHL Supply Chain North America and First Vice Chair of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland.
Southwest Airlines Takes Off with Priceline
Travelers can search and book Southwest’s inventory directly on Priceline, unlocking more ways to compare, customize and save on flights. Customers booking their Southwest flights through Priceline are still eligible to earn Rapid Rewards.
Through the partnership, Southwest flights are also now bookable across the Booking Holdings portfolio of brands, including Booking.com and Agoda.
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