The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
August 6, 2025
Register Today
October 6-9, 2025
Early Bird rates available until
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…]
Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force (PCS JTF) Industry Day
Where: 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon, IL
When: Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 8 AM to 4 PM CST
Registration begins at 7 AM CST
The PCS Joint Task Force invites household goods industry subject matter experts to share key perspectives for the PCS JTF to consider shaping the future of the household goods program. This event is part of our ongoing market research efforts to enhance military relocation services.
All industry partners interested in this program are invited to attend. However, due to space constraints, pre-registration is required. […READ MORE…]
Pentagon Just Made a Massive, Long Overdue Shift to Arm Its Troops with Thousands of Drones
(TWZ.com) The Pentagon has announced sweeping new changes intended to surge the fielding of small drones, including weaponized types, across the entire U.S. military. Most notably, certain types of smaller uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) will be treated as “consumables,” more akin to hand grenades and other kinds of ammunition, than aircraft, which has broad ramifications. […READ MORE…]
MARAD Awards $6.2 Billion in Contracts to Strengthen U.S. Strategic Sealift Capability
By Mike Schuler
(gCaptain.com) The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has taken a significant step to enhance America’s military sealift capabilities by awarding $6.2 billion in contracts to manage its Ready Reserve Force (RRF) fleet. The comprehensive agreement involves 20 contracts covering the management of 51 vessels and marking a major investment in national maritime security spanning a 10-year period. […READ MORE…]
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to Form First U.S. Transcontinental Railroad
Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation have announced a merger agreement to create America’s first true transcontinental railroad, combining over 50,000 route miles across 43 states.
The deal, valued at $85 billion for Norfolk Southern, will see Union Pacific acquire the Eastern-based rail operator in a stock-and-cash transaction. The combined entity will be worth more than $250 billion, marking one of the most significant consolidations in North American freight transport history. […READ MORE…]
U.S. Bank: Truck Freight Volume Rises Across All Regions in Q2
(USBank.com) The U.S. truck freight market showed signs of recovery in the second quarter of 2025, with national shipment volumes rising 2.4% and spending increasing 1.2% from the previous quarter, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. This marks the first quarter-to-quarter gain in both metrics in three years. All five U.S. regions posted sequential volume gains, led by a 6.7% increase in the Southwest.
“While the national year-over-year metrics remain down, the second quarter’s sequential growth in both shipments and spending are a welcome shift after years of contraction,” said Bobby Holland, U.S. Bank director of freight business analytics. […READ MORE…]
DLA Distribution Europe Goes Live with Warehouse Management System, Optimizes Logistics Operations
By Dorie Heyer
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Europe officially launched the newly implemented Warehouse Management System at the distribution center in Germersheim, Germany, on July 20. WMS is designed to enhance the distribution center’s support to warfighters across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The system went live following a deliberate “soft go-live,” which tested baseline functions across DLA’s Training, Logistics, and Information Operations offices to identify problems and resolutions prior to full implementation. […READ MORE…]
TSA Faces a Problem with One Form of ID
(MensJournal.com) The TSA officially requires all passengers to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification when they go through the security checkpoint at the airport. However, TSA seems to have a problem with one approved form of ID. While a tribal ID card is on TSA’s list of acceptable forms of identification, some travelers have been told that the tribal ID isn’t valid, and the TSA agent requests another form of identification. […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
Army Puts $43M Bet on Next Gen Leonidas High Power Microwave Counter Drone Tech
(TWZ.com) High power microwave (HPM) system maker Epirus announced it has received a $43,551,060 contract from the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) for delivery of two of its new advanced Generation II Leonidas HPM air defense systems along with associated equipment and spares for test events, with options for additional tests, components and support.
US Doubles Down on Nuclear Submarine Plans in South Pacific
(Newsweek.com) USS Ohio, an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, arrived in Brisbane—on Australia‘s eastern coast—last week. The visit coincides with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day on August 15, marking the end of World War II in the Pacific, the U.S. Navy said.
The U.S. and the United Kingdom are assisting Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines under AUKUS; however, the trilateral pact is under review to determine if it aligns with President Donald Trump‘s “America First” policy.
Navy Seeks New Fast Attack Surface Drone Design
(USNI.org) The Navy is putting out a call for a new type of unmanned surface vessel capable of carrying large payloads, including missiles, thousands of miles in support of manned warships. Created to address the service’s need for a “fast, high-capacity, embarked payloads platform,” the Modular Attack Surface Craft program seeks to develop a high-endurance USV.
US Ally Upgrades Aircraft Carrier Fleet to Counter China Threat
(Newsweek.com) Japan is set to deploy its first stealth fighter jets with the ability to operate from aircraft carriers, amid concerns over China’s military presence near the country. The first batch of F-35B aircraft—capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings from ships without full-length flight decks—has been delivered, according to Japan‘s Defense Ministry.
REMUS 620 Validated for Torpedo Tube Deployment
(NavalNews.com) A test by the joint team confirmed the compatibility of the REMUS 620 with the SAFECAP, Virginia-class submarine weapons handling and torpedo tube systems, and other critical interfaces.
“This clears the way for continued testing in advance of an in-water end-to-end launch and recovery at a U.S. Navy test fixture facility later this summer,” said Adrian Gonsalves, HII’s REMUS 620 product lead.
NASA Drop Test Supports Safer Air Taxi Design and Certification
(NASA.gov) As the aviation industry works to develop new air taxis and other electric aircraft made from innovative, lightweight materials, there’s a growing need to understand how those materials behave under impact. NASA is investigating potential air taxi materials and designs that could best protect passengers in the event of a crash.
At NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., on June 26, researchers dropped a full-scale aircraft body modeled after an air taxi from a tall steel structure.
ABS and FLOWRA to Advance Offshore Wind Technologies
(news.cision.com) ABS and the Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate and explore new technologies to support the floating offshore wind industry.
For over 160 years, ABS has been leading the charge for safety excellence in the marine and offshore industries.
ArcBest’s Efficiency Initiatives Helping Offset Soft Demand
(FreightWaves.com) ArcBest leaned on belt-tightening and efficiency initiatives to partially offset weak demand during the second quarter. The company said it is “adding good new profitable business to the network” even as the less-than-truckload industry contends with protracted weakness in the manufacturing and housing segments.
Southwest Rolls Out Assigned Seating, Reveals New Boarding Process
Beginning Tuesday, July 29, Southwest fliers will select seats when booking flights beyond Jan. 27, 2026. Southwest also will launch its new boarding process for all flights starting Jan. 27, 2026. The airline will forgo its “A-B-C” groups and stanchions with a traditional-style process featuring eight groups.
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