The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
May 12, 2026
Step Inside the Conversations Shaping Tomorrow’s Force at the SFPM!
Registration is still open for the 2026 Surface Force Projection Meeting (SFPM), taking place May 18–21. The event will bring together military leaders, logisticians, industry executives, and government officials to discuss the future of force projection, sustainment, contested logistics, and strategic mobility in an increasingly complex global environment.
This year’s meeting will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, classified sessions, and networking opportunities designed to connect decision-makers across the defense transportation and logistics enterprise. Attendees will gain insight into emerging operational challenges, innovative technologies, and evolving requirements impacting mobility and readiness.
DOT Proposes New Rule to Protect Critical Infrastructure from Drone Threats
(www.transportation.gov) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has issued a proposed rule allowing designated critical infrastructure facilities to apply for drone restrictions through a new FAA web portal.
Eligible sectors include transportation systems, energy production facilities, chemical plants, water treatment operations, and defense industrial sites. Restrictions would be evaluated using safety and security criteria to protect sensitive infrastructure from unauthorized drone activity and emerging aerial threats. […READ MORE…]
Administration Launches Nuclear-Powered Shipping Initiative
By Mike Schuler
(gcaptain.com) The administration has launched a major initiative exploring the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) for commercial shipping vessels.
Led by DOT and the U.S. Maritime Administration, the effort aims to revitalize the American maritime industry, reduce dependence on traditional marine fuels, and restore U.S. competitiveness in the global shipping market.
Officials said nuclear-powered commercial vessels could provide greater operational endurance, lower emissions, and enhanced energy security while helping modernize the nation’s maritime transportation infrastructure. […READ MORE…]
USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter
In today’s USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse:
- White House Accuses China of ’Deliberate, Industrial-scale Campaigns’ to Steal US AI Models
- NDTA Fall Meeting October 26-29, 2026 – Looking for topic suggestions
- Ports Race to Cut Emissions as Global Trade Faces New Disruptions
- Trojan Driver Scam Infiltrates Legitimate Trucking Companies
- USTRANSCOM DIB TSPs Community of Interest: Join Today for Access to Non-Publicly Available Threat and Cybersecurity Reports
- They Don’t Hack; They Borrow: How Fraudsters Target Credit Unions
- What Type of ‘C2 on a Sleep Cycle’ do They Leave Behind? Novel Chinese Spy Group Found in Critical Networks in Poland, Asia
- Brace for the Patch Tsunami: AI is Unearthing Decades of Buried Code Debt
- FBI Warns of Surge in Hacker-Enabled Cargo Theft
- Lieu and Obernolte Introduce Consolidated AI Bill Package
- Italy Extradites Alleged Chinese State-backed Hacker to US over Theft of COVID-19 Research
- Pentagon Makes Agreements with 7 Companies to Add AI to Classified Networks
- CGCYBER Maritime Cyber Alert
- Pro-Iran Crew Turns DDoS into Shakedown as Ubuntu.com Stays Down
ATTENTION: ARTRANS GFM USERS
This announcement applies to all users of the U.S. Army Transportation Command Global Freight Management (GFM) system.
Users who still require access to GFM must complete the required process outlined in Customer Advisory Update 1 as soon as possible.
Deadline: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Users who fail to complete the required actions by the deadline will lose access to GFM. Although accounts can be restored afterward, restoration may not occur immediately and could result in missed freight opportunities and operational delays.
ARTRANS officials emphasized that another extension is unlikely to be approved and encouraged all users to act immediately.
Shipper Spending Surges Amid Modest Freight Volumes
Here are a few highlights from the Q1 2026 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index:
- National shipment volume edged down 0.3% from the fourth quarter of 2025, while shipper spending jumped 12.9% (the largest QoQ increase since late 2020).
- On a year-over-year basis, shipments rose 0.6%, while spending climbed 21.8%, reflecting tighter capacity, higher rates, and rising fuel surcharges.
- Regionally, shipment volumes were mixed, but spending increased across all five regions, highlighting the nationwide impact of capacity tightening.
- The Midwest led all regions, with shipments up 5.4% from the prior quarter and 9.5% from a year earlier. Shipper spending in the region surged 19.6% quarter over quarter and 26.7% year over year.
Find the full release and link to report here
Editor’s Picks
Air Force Pursues Active Defenses for Tankers and Cargo Aircraft
(www.airandspaceforces.com) The U.S. Air Force plans to invest more than $500 million through 2031 to develop a new aircraft defense capability known as Large Aircraft Survivability Systems (LASS).
The system is intended to protect high-value aircraft including KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelers, along with C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft. The proposed capability would combine advanced sensors and onboard defensive weapons to detect and counter enemy drones and missile threats.
The Air Force requested $68 million in FY27 research and development funding for the program.
Marine Corps Expands Use of Unmanned Systems
(breakingdefense.com) At the Modern Day Marine conference, leaders highlighted how unmanned technologies are rapidly transforming Marine Corps operations. Officials described future concepts involving autonomous reconnaissance systems, unmanned aerial support, and “drone wingmen” designed to operate alongside crewed fighter aircraft.
Marine Corps planners said these systems could reduce operational risk, improve situational awareness, and lessen dependence on contractors in contested environments. Some collaborative combat aircraft capabilities could reach operational forces before the end of the decade.
Coast Guard Deploys Autonomous Saildrones on Great Lakes
(interestingengineering.com) The U.S. Coast Guard will deploy autonomous Saildrone vessels across the Great Lakes from May through October to strengthen maritime surveillance and emergency response operations.
Powered by wind and solar energy, the unmanned vessels will patrol more than 90,000 square miles of waterways and international shipping routes. Missions will include maritime domain awareness, weather monitoring, detection of illegal activity, and support for border security operations.
The deployment marks another milestone in the Coast Guard’s growing integration of unmanned systems into daily operations.
Navy Tests Drones and AI Against Narco Boats
(news.usni.org) United States Fourth Fleet recently tested drones and artificial intelligence systems during Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercises near Key West, Fla. The exercise focused on using robotic and autonomous systems to identify and track suspected narcotics trafficking vessels across large maritime regions where traditional naval assets are limited.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to operationalize AI-enabled air, surface, and subsurface systems to improve maritime security and accelerate deployment of next-generation capabilities.
Amphibious Ship Deliveries Delayed
(news.usni.org) The Navy has delayed delivery schedules for future amphibious assault ships USS Bougainville (LHA-8) and USS Fallujah (LHA-9) due to labor shortages and shipyard performance challenges. According to budget documents, Bougainville’s delivery moved from August 2026 to July 2027, while Fallujah shifted from September 2030 to July 2031.
Officials cited workforce shortages and schedule re-baselining efforts at the shipyard as primary causes of the delays.
Army and Navy Helicopters Sink Iranian Boats
(taskandpurpose.com) During operations near the Strait of Hormuz, Army Apache and Navy Seahawk helicopters destroyed six Iranian small boats that were threatening commercial shipping traffic. The action was part of broader efforts by U.S. Central Command to maintain maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Please join NDTA in welcoming the following new Sustaining Members:
NDTA appreciates the support and engagement of these organizations as they join the association’s mission of advancing defense transportation and logistics collaboration across government, industry, and academia.
ARC Delivers Second Tunnel Boring Machine for Hudson Tunnel Project
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier successfully delivered a second tunnel boring machine for the Hudson Tunnel Project, one of the nation’s most important passenger rail infrastructure initiatives. The delivery follows ARC’s successful transport of the first machine earlier this year aboard the M/V Endurance. The Hudson Tunnel Project is expected to improve rail reliability and expand transportation capacity along the Northeast Corridor.
https://assets.arcshipping.com/app/uploads/2026/05/260507-ARC-Delivers-HTP-TBM.pdf
A virtual tour is available here: YouTube virtual tour
FedEx Wins War Waiver for Dubai Cargo Route
The U.S. Department of Transportation approved FedEx Corp.’s request to bypass a mandatory stop in Dubai under its existing authority to operate aircraft between Hong Kong and Paris because of the operational difficulties posed by hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Under DOT rules, an airline must operate at least once every 90 days in markets with limited entry to prevent forfeiting its rights.
Gartner: Supply Chains Aren’t Ready for an AI Overhaul
(www.supplychainbrain.com) A new survey from Gartner found that most supply chain organizations are still approaching artificial intelligence cautiously. Only 17% of surveyed chief supply chain officers said their organizations are using AI for transformational redesign efforts, while the majority remain focused on smaller operational use cases. Researchers identified data readiness gaps, disconnected technology systems, and workforce training needs as major barriers slowing broader AI adoption across supply chains.
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