Managing the Mess

Taming the Logistical Beast

Using the proposed vehicles, pallets, and MHE, a practical and flexible logistical system can be easily managed through existing COTS inventory management systems. Ideally this would be a system featuring wireless networking and barcode reading handheld transceivers (like those you find in every WalMart). Each pallet would have a barcode corresponding to a computerized bill of lading that specifies contents and destinations.

Vehicles and air transport assets can already be tracked by satellite-based systems that include logistics related information. A militarized version of this system is available for current PLS. Using the existing network-based supply system, logistics would work something like this:

Certain items like log packs, rations, and water require no ordering – direct delivered automatically

Unit orders other needed supplies
At log depot, items are loaded into ISO containers or airlift pallets with information entered into network.
Supplies delivered into supply base in theater in a designated in-bound area. Some pallets are directly moved to outbound holding for direct delivery by PHV; rest is divided with handheld barcode readers feeding tracking information into network. Larger pallets include a tracking beacon for transport vehicles to locate pallets within yard.
At the supply base, personnel load up pallets for movement forward using PHVs and entering tracking information with handheld scanner. Larger loads use the cargo net to indicate weight range of the load (above or under 5-tons)
All pallets are moved to outbound yard for pick-up.
Incoming supply vehicles (ground and air) have wireless transceivers that interact with wireless network to locate pallet (by beacon) and obtain information on load and destination.
Load is delivered to destination and picked up by TSV or combat MHE (or personnel if direct delivery) for delivery to final usage point. Empty pallets are picked up by delivery vehicles for return to the rear.
Just as civilians can log into a website and obtain tracking information on their packages, the military unit can log in and find out the status and location of its own supply orders.

This system would provide a tremendous improvement in total performance over the current logistical system. It incorporates a lot of flexibility as it can work with air, sea, or ground transport systems. Once supplies are moved to forward areas, all material handling and transport is performed by true combat platforms with superior off-road mobility and survivability. The beast is tamed.