The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
June 25, 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…]
Middle East Warfare Crimps Cargo Flows
By Ben Ames
(DC Velocity) Freight flows around the Middle East are seeing increasing delays as carriers cancel service to certain ports or change routes to avoid escalating warfare in Iran, Isael, and Qatar. Qatar Airways confirmed the temporary suspension of its flights due to the closure of air traffic movement in the State of Qatar.
That step followed the attempted Iranian bombing of a US military base in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes on Sunday against three nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran, and for Israeli strikes in previous days against additional Iranian targets. […READ MORE…]
US Strikes in Iran Raise Alarms Over Security of American-Affiliated Ships in Middle East
By Mike Schuler
(gCaptain) Maritime security firms have issued urgent advisories following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning of heightened risks to commercial shipping in the Middle East’s critical waterways. The strikes, conducted on June 22, targeted three facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using penetrating “bunker-buster” bombs and cruise missiles in a coordinated attack.
Maritime security firm Ambrey reports that Iran is “almost certain to respond militarily to the US strikes,” with likely targets including US-affiliated shipping. […READ MORE…]
(Transportation.gov) US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy urged Congress to pass President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill to begin upgrading the US’s aging air traffic control systems following his tour of San Diego International Airport (SAN)’s Air Traffic Control Tower. The Secretary was joined by Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer (A) Frank McIntosh. […READ MORE…]
NDTA Europe & Africa to Host Networking Dinner – July 8, 2025
NDTA Europe & Africa is planning to host a networking dinner in the evening of Tuesday, July 8, before NATO Support & Procurement Agency’s (NSPA) Transportation Industry Day, in Luxembourg. The event is expected to attract 90 to 100 attendees from across the commercial transportation industry and NATO member governments and militaries.
Sponsorship packages are available!
Gold – $1,000: Large logo branding; two free dinner passes; brief speaking opportunity to introduce company and thank everyone for attending.
Silver – $750: Medium logo branding; one free dinner pass.
Bronze – $500: Small logo branding.
For more details or to sponsor the event, please contact Jason Trubenbach at jtrubenbach@trailerbridge.com.
Join Us at the Texas Capitol!
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
Company Conducts First Autonomous Helicopter Flight for Marine Program
(Marine Corps Times) A company working with the Marine Corps recently completed its first autonomous test flight of a helicopter as part of a Marine logistics program.
Near Earth Autonomy completed the test flight using a Leonardo AW139 helicopter under the Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector program, according to Defence Blog.
US Army to Get More Sgt Stout Air Defense Systems
(Defence Blog) The US Army has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $621 million contract modification to continue production and support of the Sgt Stout short-range air defense system, a mobile platform designed to protect maneuver forces from aerial threats including drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 29, 2028.
MBDA Reveals ‘One Way Effector’ Long-Range Strike Drone
(The Aviationist) Designed to leverage lessons learned from the use of inexpensive drones for attack missions in Ukraine and in the Middle East, the One Way Effector (OWE) is designed to be low-cost enough to be launched in salvoes which can overwhelm hostile air defenses. In doing so, OWEs are intended to trigger a response from those air defenses, revealing their locations for subsequent strikes.
Navy Uses European Exercise to Help Evaluate Unmanned Vessels
The commander of a US Navy task force focused on employing unmanned systems said his team is making decisions about which can be “operationalized,” and which will be sidelined for further development.
“At this point, we have had a variety of unmanned systems that we have worked with, some of which are experimental, others of which are in the in the mode of being operationalized,” Rear Adm. Michael Mattis said.
Navy Will Consolidate Medium, Large USV Programs: GAO
(Breaking Defense) The Navy is moving ahead with consolidating its two largest unmanned surface vessel programs, with plans to begin developing the new unmanned ship by 2027. According to a new GAO report, officials indicated in April 2025 that the LUSV [Large Unmanned Surface Vessel] program will merge with the program for medium unmanned surface vessels into a single program for autonomous surface craft.
LNG Freight Rates Surge to 8-Month High Amid Middle East Turmoil
SINGAPORE/LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) – Shipping costs for liquefied natural gas cargoes have rallied to their highest in about eight months with vessel availability tightened by a shift in more ships heading to Asia at the same time as conflict has escalated in the Middle East.
Air Charter Service Launches its New Boston Office in Style, as it Prepares for Further Expansion
Air Charter Service has launched its new Boston office, as it moves to much larger premises at Laurence G. Hanscom Field Airport, with a grand opening event attended by local customers and airlines. Richard Thompson, President of ACS Americas, said, “We opened the Boston office two years ago, and we have seen incredible growth in that time. In the first five months of this year, we have more than trebled the number of private jet charters that we contracted in the same period last year.
ARA Appraised at CMMC Level 2 Status
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) achieved the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) level 2 status on June 5. Cybersecurity is a top priority for the DoD. To protect critical national security information from increasingly frequent and complex cyberattacks, the DoD developed the CMMC program to reinforce the importance of information security.
Atlas Air Worldwide Expands at Miami Airport
(Air Cargo News) Atlas Air is relocating to a 250,000 sq. ft. facility at Miami International Airport (MIA) that will enable it to consolidate import and export operations in one purpose-built site and handle more perishables and pharmaceuticals.
The new, larger facility will enable Atlas to assume direct control over all warehouse functions and dedicated adjacent aircraft parking spaces, streamlining cargo handling and improving efficiency across its operations.
PODS® Fifth Annual Moving Trends Report Reveals American Cities with the Most Move-Ins and Move-Outs
PODS Enterprises, LLC, unveiled its fifth annual Moving Trends Report, highlighting the US cities with the most move-ins and move-outs. Southeastern states continue to reign supreme as the most desired moving destinations due to the mild climate, lower cost of living, and laid-back lifestyle. California continues to see an exodus with the most move-outs.
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