The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association

September 21, 2021

At the NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, October 18-21, we will learn about technologies, business practices and innovations needed to dominate and win in all domains and environments. One of those domains is space. By joining us at this event, you will have the opportunity to engage with our Space Roundtable to examine logistics and transportation from the space perspective. […READ MORE…]

By MAJ Matthew Mayor, USA, MAJ Ryan Bellman, USA, and MAJ Joshua Choate, USA

Intermodal In-Transit-Visibility (ITV) and asset visibility terrestrial challenges experienced by transportation professionals would translate to a space ITV-asset visibility shortfall in the emerging contested space domain, requiring mitigation to maintain Multi-Domain Operational (MDO) dominance. An examination of the background, ITV-asset visibility challenges, logistics management prioritization, space piracy, and recommendations highlights why these tasks are vital to maintaining space dominance moving into the future. History points towards the requirement of logistics and transportation professionals to plan for space logistics. […READ MORE…]

According to Army officials and doctrine, rail is the most cost-effective and expeditious means of moving large quantities of materiel, such as tanks and ammunition, over long distances. During contingencies, approximately 67 percent of Army unit equipment moves by rail from its fort or base of origin to a shipping port. […READ MORE…]

By Tiana Waters, SDDC

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, the Army Service Component Command to the United States Transportation Command and a Major Subordinate Command to U.S. Army Materiel Command, is using internship opportunities to help develop its next generation of federal employees. […READ MORE…]

Editor’s Picks

You Need to Protect Yourself From Zero-Click Attacks
(Popular Science)  After Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog group that’s spent years tracking digital threats, examined the contents of a Saudi activist’s phone, researchers quickly discovered that it was infected. But the phone wasn’t infected with just any virus. It was infected with NSO Group’s zero-click Pegasus spyware—software that does not even require people to click on a link in order to get the infection.

US Air Force Developing Combat Tanker-Airlifter that Can Land on Water
(Defense One)  The U.S. Air Force is working on detachable pontoons and other modifications for its MC-130J Commando II that could enable special forces to rely less on land-based runways in future conflicts, the service said Monday.

Auditors, Contractors Hang in the Balance as Defense Overhauls Cybersecurity Certification Program
(Nextgov)  Hundreds of individuals have paid for their place in line to take an exam that would qualify them to perform cybersecurity assessments of defense contractors that may no longer be necessary after the department reexamines its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.

Trade Versus Subs: The Risky U.S. Tradeoff in the Asia-Pacific
(Council on Foreign Relations)  In the decades to come which will matter more, a dozen more nuclear subs on the U.S. side of the ledger or a trade pact that could draw many of the world’s largest economies ever-closer toward China?

Take What You Can Get Amid the Rental Car Shortage
(Travel Pulse)  The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted travel in a myriad of ways but one of the most overlooked—and one that travelers should be aware of ahead of their next trip—is the rental car industry.

How Diversity and Infrastructure Are Intertwined
(The Hill)  Some have bristled at provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure package that recently passed the U.S. Senate that aim to bolster diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, this article by Women in Trucking Association’s Ellen Voie explains why diversity and infrastructure are and always will be intertwined, and why the U.S. will never fix its transportation problems if it does not first fix the industry’s homogeneity problem.

AAR Awarded $41M Contract by National Nuclear Security Administration to Provide a Reconfigured Transport Aircraft
(AAR CORP.)  AAR was recently awarded a firm, fixed-price contract by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for the conversion and delivery of a B737-700 aircraft modified into a “FlexCombi” configuration.

Hapag-Lloyd Introduces Worldwide Electronic Bills of Lading
(Hapag-Lloyd)  Hapag-Lloyd now offers its worldwide customers the use of electronic Bills of Lading. In cooperation with WAVE BL, a digital platform for supply chain partners, customers can go paperless not only with the Bill of Lading, but also with other vital trade documents.

Atlas Air and DHL Express Extend Agreements for 20 Freighters
(Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.)  Atlas Air, Inc. has announced it has entered into contract extensions with DHL Express to continue operating 20 freighter aircraft in support of their fast-growing express and e-commerce markets.

The Story of Public Sector Data Optimization: It’s Not Just (Pizza) Pie in the Sky
(CGI)  Learn how sharing and utilizing data can completely transform the way government enterprises do business and ultimately, provide improved value and services to citizens.

The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.