The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
June 11, 2025
NDTA-USTRANSCOM FALL MEETING
Register Today
October 6-9, 2025
Registration is now open for the 13th annual NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting, October 6-9, 2025, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, St. Louis, MO. Join government, military and industry partners at this special venue to learn, share ideas, find solutions and explore this year’s theme: “Powering Global Deployment & Distribution – Ready, United, Decisive!” The Fall Meeting includes general sessions, meetings, an expo hall, and Transportation Academy. Transportation Academy offers more than 60 classes covering relevant logistics and transportation topics designed to promote professional development, training, and education. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for registrants attending the full program. Learn more in the registration pages. […READ MORE…]
Congress Passes Maritime Security and Cargo Preference Bills to Bolster US Ports and Fleet
By Mike Schuler
The US House of Representatives passed a package of nine transportation-related bills, including several aimed at enhancing maritime supply chain security, reinforcing the US flag fleet, and cracking down on foreign adversary involvement at American ports.
Among the most significant measures passed are H.R. 2390, the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act and H.R. 252, the Secure Our Ports Act of 2025—bills introduced by Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC) and Ken Calvert (R-CA), respectively. They are designed to reduce the influence of China and other adversaries on critical US port infrastructure. […READ MORE…]
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration is seeking a company to lead the building of a new state of-the-art air traffic control system. To encourage companies to participate and discuss the plan, Secretary Duffy and FAA will host Industry Days on June 10-12.The agency issued a Request for Information for an integrator to play a key role in executing President Trump and US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s vision for building the air traffic system of the future. […READ MORE…]
By
(Freight Waves) Transportation metrics saw little change in May as capacity, utilization and pricing remained in expansion territory, according to a monthly survey of supply chain professionals.
In the Logistics Managers’ Index, a reading above 50 indicates expansion while one below 50 signals contraction. The transportation capacity during May was in line with April, while growth in transportation utilization remained anemic at 52.6 – the lowest reading for the subindex since November 2023. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
US Army Trials Tactical Resupply Drone to Boost Battlefield Logistics
(TheDefensePost) The US Army has tested the Tactical Resupply Vehicle-150 (TRV-150) drone during a training exercise focused on innovation and realistic battlefield conditions. Capable of carrying up to 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of supplies, the TRV-150 enables soldiers to receive equipment remotely without exposing themselves to danger
US Army Seeks to ‘Pure Fleet’ Helicopter Inventory by Retiring Older Models
(FlightGlobal) More details are emerging about the second major shake-up of the US Army’s aviation enterprise in less than two years. The service now confirms it will divest all its remaining Boeing AH-64D attack helicopters, the older variant of the combat-proven Apache platform, and operate only the latest AH-64E.
US Coast Guard’s New Arctic Icebreaker USCGC Storis Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage
(gCaptain) The US Coast Guard has marked a significant milestone in its Arctic capabilities with the maiden voyage of its newest icebreaker, USCGC Storis (WAGB 21), departing from Pascagoula, Mississippi. The deployment represents the service’s first polar icebreaker acquisition in over 25 years and comes at a crucial time for US interests in the Arctic region.
World’s Largest Aircraft to Be Shown at the Paris Air Show for the First Time
(AutoEvolution) The Paris-Le Bourget Airport will host this year’s edition of the Paris Air Show. WindRunner, the world’s largest cargo aircraft in terms of length and volume, will premiere at the event. It measures 356 feet (108 meters) from nose to end, more than the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya, which came in at 276 feet (84 meters), and features a cargo bay with a capacity of 7,700 cubic meters (271,922 cubic feet).
Amazon Looks to Test Humanoid Delivery Robots
(SupplyChainBrain) Amazon is developing artificial intelligence software for humanoid package delivery robots, and has plans to test the robots at its San Francisco offices. According to a June 5 report, Amazon is nearing the completion of an indoor “humanoid park,” where the new robots will tackle an obstacle course as part of the initial trial phase. After that, the company plans to take the robots on “field trips” in the real world, where they’ll be tested on actual package deliveries to homes.
Let’s welcome NDTA’s newest Sustaining Member with a big round of applause!
Amazon’s $10 Billion Move: North Carolina to Host Next AI Powerhouse
(LogisticsViewpoints) Amazon announced it will invest $10 billion to build new data centers in North Carolina as part of its broader effort to expand artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. This move is part of a larger capital expenditure plan of up to $100 billion in 2025, primarily focused on AI.
Boeing Set to Restart Jet Handovers to China
(SupplyChainBrain) Boeing Company has begun shipping commercial jets to China for the first time since early April, indicating a reopening of trade flows despite the long-simmering tariff war between the US and Asia’s biggest economy. A Boeing 737 Max registered N230BE took off for Hawaii on Friday morning, according to Flightradar24 flight data. It is the first stop in a journey across the Pacific to the US planemaker’s center in Zhoushan, China, where it typically finalizes delivery of that model for domestic customers.
DHL Launches Xcelerate Airport-to-airport Cargo Product
(Air Cargo News) DHL Aviation, the aviation business of DHL Express, has introduced Accelerate, a premium fast-track, airport-to-airport cargo product. Accelerate offers “the fastest available shipping option with guaranteed capacity and shorter transit times,” DHL said. Xcelerate adds to DHL Aviation’s range of international air cargo products for freight forwarders and shippers.
J.B. Hunt, BNSF, and GMXT Launch Intermodal Freight Delivery Service in Mexico
J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., BNSF Railway (BNSF) and GMXT, the largest rail provider in Mexico, together have launched a new intermodal service for Mexico-based businesses: Quantum de México.
The service will follow the model of its US counterpart launched by J.B. Hunt and BNSF in November 2023, designed to “transport sensitive highway freight using rail, meeting businesses’ just-in-time freight needs.”
(Naca.aero) The National Air Carrier Association announced that Eastern Airlines and Eastern Air Express (collectively, “Eastern”), have joined the association.
“NACA is delighted to welcome Eastern as a full member,” said NACA President and CEO George Novak. “Eastern strengthens our commitment to airlines that provide global services to both military and civilian customers.”
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