Deployment & Distribution Enterprise R&D

The Deployment & Distribution Enterprise R&D program, under Program Element (PE) 0604776F, is managed by the Air Force and focuses on advanced research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) to enhance joint deployment and distribution capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). The overarching goal is to address contested logistics challenges and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations in support of the joint warfighter. This program collaborates with the Services, Combatant Commands, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), select Defense Agencies, industry, and academia to develop, integrate, and demonstrate new technologies and systems for the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE) and Joint Petroleum Enterprise (JPE).

Deployment and Distribution Innovation (Project 640216) is the primary line item within PE 0604776F, focusing on innovative solutions for logistics projection and sustainment, seaport and airfield improvements, inventory and cargo management, materiel handling, cargo/container security, and secure collaboration with commercial, interagency, and coalition partners. The project also supports distributed global mobility command, control, communications, and computers (C4) capabilities. Many initiatives were reprogrammed to Project 630004 (Deployment and Distribution & Prototyping) to better align funding with prototype development and testing in simulated or operational environments.

Key accomplishments and objectives include targeted research and prototyping efforts. The Distributed Littoral Ops Fuel Transfer initiative aims to develop autonomous fuel line deployment capabilities for Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations, partnering with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock. The Airdrop Mission Planner Multiservice Interoperability project seeks to enhance mission planning software for airdrop operations across multiple services, improving interoperability and operational effectiveness. The Aerial Delivery - Low Cost Modular GPS Denied Kit is designed to demonstrate navigation solutions for aerial delivery platforms operating in GPS-denied environments, supporting joint precision airdrop systems.

Other notable efforts include the Petroleum Undersea Sustainment Hose, which provides agile, submersible fuel delivery from commercial vessels. The Airdrop System - Precision Extended Glide demonstrates long-range powered parafoil systems to reduce risk to delivery aircraft. The Container Airdrop project enables the airdrop of standard ISO containers from C-17 aircraft, while the Scalable Autonomous Modular Propulsion Kits develop modular propulsion solutions for commercial barges to support autonomous logistics operations. These projects are designed to transition to service Programs of Record upon successful demonstration and evaluation.

Digital innovation is also a priority, with projects such as AI-Powered Sensitive Data Masking and Analyzer Driven Data Integrity focusing on data security, anomaly detection, and decision support. The Iron Spider initiative secures mission and operational data over non-classified internet protocols for communication with commercial partners. Partnership with MIT Lincoln Labs advances enterprise operational architecture, analytics, and cybersecurity defense. Modeling and simulation efforts, supported by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), address research needs for asset scheduling, cargo capability, and risk mitigation in international shipping.

Cybersecurity and risk management are addressed through projects like Oversight, which tracks adversary cyber campaigns, and Cyber Mission Assurance Technologies, providing near real-time understanding of cyber risks and operational impacts. Additional efforts include the KC-135 Drone Delivery Mechanism for defensive and ISR capabilities, and Component Level Operational Decision Advantage (CODA), which develops decision support tools for Air Force component-level command and control. Many projects transition to operational communities or Programs of Record, ensuring sustained impact and integration into broader DoD logistics and mobility systems.

The acquisition strategy for Deployment & Distribution Enterprise R&D involves annual identification, validation, and prioritization of technology requirements by the JDDE community, with USTRANSCOM managing the development and transition of new capabilities. Prototype products are evaluated in high-fidelity, realistic environments, and successful technologies are spirally transitioned to service Programs of Record. The program aims to maintain a technological edge in joint logistics, support contested environments, and enable agile, resilient deployment and distribution operations across the DoD enterprise.