The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
June 4, 2026
NDTA–USTRANSCOM FALL MEETING
Register Today
October 26-29, 2026
Registration is now open for the 14th annual NDTA–USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting, October 26-29, 2026, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Join government, military, and industry partners at this welcoming venue to learn, share ideas, find solutions and explore this year’s theme: “Delivering Hope, Projecting Lethality — Theater to Globe.” 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 on the registration page. […READ MORE…]
NDTA-CAS Surface Force Projection Meeting Brings Leaders Together to Advance Deployment Readiness
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS) jointly hosted the NDTA-CAS Surface Force Projection Meeting (SFPM) at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., May 18–21. The event attracted 286 registrants from across the defense, transportation, logistics, and maritime communities.
Centered on the theme, “Projecting Power in a Globally Contested Environment – Ideas into Action!” the meeting examined the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of force projection. Government and industry leaders explored critical topics including seaport readiness, port activations, deployment operations, freight booking systems, the Joint Transportation Management System (JTMS), and evolving threats to the nation’s transportation infrastructure. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
(www.transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has invested more than $523 million in airports nationwide to modernize infrastructure, improve safety and deliver a more efficient travel experience for American families.
The Department delivered 332 grants to airports in 43 states through the Airport Infrastructure Grants program to support runway rehabilitation, apron and taxiway improvements, terminal upgrades, and other airfield investments. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
U.S. Troops Are Being Targeted Using Location Data, Pentagon Says
(www.militarytimes.com) U.S. forces deployed to war zones have been targeted using commercially available location data, according to reports fielded by military officials, an illustration of how the global surveillance economy is shaping the battlefield.
In a letter shared with Reuters by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, U.S. Central Command said it had “received multiple threat reports concerning adversary exploitation of commercial location data to target or surveil U.S. personnel in theater.” […READ MORE…]
FEMA Advisory
As Hurricane Season Begins, FEMA Stands Ready to Support States, Territories Facing Potential Storms
Today, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr. and Senior Counselor to the DHS Secretary Cameron Hamilton met with the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center, Dr. Michael Brennan, to discuss preparedness efforts and how communities can stay safe as hurricane season officially begins. This effort is part of FEMA’s broader commitment to help states, local governments, Tribal Nations, and territories prepare to quickly respond to, and recover from extreme weather events this season.
“We’re ready for hurricane season,” said Robert J. Fenton Jr., FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator. “This is something we do every year. It’s in our DNA, and everything we do builds upon getting ready for hurricane season. But, we’re only one piece of that team, and the most important piece is local and state governments and, really, the American people. They need to be ready for this, too.”
Editor’s Picks
Saronic Launches First Marauder Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel
(www.navalnews.com) Saronic announced the launch of its first Marauder Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV), designed to deliver dual-use autonomous capability far from shore across the full range of defense and commercial applications. The first Marauder hull moved from initial design to on-water trials in under a year, a pace not seen in American ship building since World War II.
U.S. Navy to Explore Powering Shore Installations with Aircraft Carriers
(www.militarytimes.com) The U.S. Navy is planning to bring the nuclear power of its largest aircraft carrier from ship to shore at some point this summer, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao revealed during a U.S. House Armed Services Committee hearing May 14. The Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia will be part of a pilot program exploring the concept of an installation “powered from an aircraft carrier.”
Marine ACV Crews to Face ‘Thinking Adversaries’ in New VR Simulator
(www.militarytimes.com) The U.S. Marine Corps has inked a $5.1 million contract with the virtual reality company XR Training (XRT) to develop a crew gunnery training prototype for the new amphibious combat vehicle that will simulate an all-out fight with an unpredictable adversary.
Drone Killer Launches Thin Metal Chains to Take Down Enemy UAVs in Seconds
Researchers in Germany have developed a new drone interceptor that uses thin metal chains to disable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) midair by tangling their spinning rotors.
Scientists at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) adapted the physics behind the traditional South American bola weapon into a modern drone defense technology designed for short-range interception.
South Korea and Japan Discuss Military-logistics Support Deal
South Korea and Japan discussed the possibility of a military-logistics support agreement, Seoul’s defense chief said, adding that Seoul remains cautious about the politically sensitive pact.
“It requires the understanding and persuasion of the citizens of both nations, and I believe we should still proceed with caution,” Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters after meeting his counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Shangri-La Dialogue of regional defense officials in Singapore.
Amazon Tests e-cargo Bikes in Washington, D.C.
(www.freightwaves.com) Amazon has launched its second U.S. pilot project for electric cargo bikes, this time in Washington, D.C., as part of a broader effort to reduce transportation emissions and congestion by embracing small, lightweight vehicles for package delivery in dense urban environments. The e-cargo bikes have four wheels and a secure rear cargo hold, along with covered seating, a windshield and windshield wipers to protect delivery drivers from the elements.
Atlas Air Worldwide Announces Strategic Investment in Air Atlanta
(www.atlasairworldwide.com) Atlas Air Worldwide announced it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire a 49% minority equity stake in Air Atlanta, a leading global provider of ACMI and aircraft management services headquartered in Iceland with operating platforms in both Iceland and Malta. This transaction establishes a strategic partnership that expands Atlas’ global operating platform and enhances access to widebody capacity in key international markets.
Intramotev Reaches Deal with Austria’s ÖBB for First Foreign Use of its Autonomous Railcars
Autonomous railcar company Intramotev has reached an agreement for ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, the freight division of Austria’s national railway company, for use of Intramotev’s TugVolt railcars. Use of the TugVolt cars in Austria will be the first international deployment of the railcars and its first use in a regulated environment.
Third New Container Crane Begins Operations at JAXPORT
(www.jaxport.com) A third new 50-gauge ship-to-shore container crane moved its first container, officially entering service at the Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT) Talleyrand Marine Terminal. Manufactured by Germany-based Liebherr Crane Company, the crane features a 100-ft. lift height and can reach across 17 containers on a ship’s deck, expanding cargo-handling capabilities at Florida’s largest container port.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.