Logistics and Engineer Equipment - Adv Dev

The Logistics and Engineer Equipment Advanced Development (PE 0603804A) program is a U.S. Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing technologies that support combat support and combat service support equipment. The overarching goal is to sustain combat operations by improving safety, tactical mobility, operational capability, lethality, and survivability on the modern digital battlefield, while reducing the logistics burden. The program encompasses a range of efforts, including advancements in bridging, armored engineer vehicles, electric power generation, material handling, environmental control, shelter systems, cargo aerial delivery, field service systems, mortuary affairs equipment, and petroleum equipment.

Project 526: Marine Oriented Logistics Equipment Advanced Development centers on the modernization of the Army Watercraft Systems (AWS). The primary objective is to enhance the seaworthiness, safety, survivability, and operational capability of Army watercraft, which are critical for providing organic waterborne lift and logistics support to Combatant and Joint Commanders. Funding supports technology insertions such as force protection, prognostics and preventative maintenance, vessel electronics, autonomous operations, and predictive logistics. These efforts aim to improve readiness, predictive maintenance, and reduce unplanned emergency repairs, while also ensuring compliance with environmental standards like the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) and EPA emissions requirements.

Within Project 526, specific lines of effort include environmental compliance projects to ensure ongoing adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements, force protection capability enhancements such as integration of Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS) and escalation of force measures, and predictive logistics to leverage digital subsystems for improved maintenance and readiness. Additional funding supports program support for engineering, technical upgrades, and force protection design, as well as test support for evaluating system upgrades and maintainability improvements.

Project EW8: Armored Engineer Vehicles focuses on the development and prototyping of a Remote Control System (RCS) for the Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV). Funding supports engineering, logistics development, developmental testing, and program support for the ABV RCS. The primary goal is to enable remote minefield breaching operations, thereby removing Soldiers from high-casualty environments and increasing survivability. The project also investigates technology insertions for bridging and armored engineer vehicle fleets, including condition-based maintenance, increased load capacities, and autonomous operations.

The acquisition strategy for the ABV RCS involves prototype development and testing with a single vendor, leveraging refurbished ABV assets for evaluation. The program includes multiple phases: prototype development, developmental testing, Soldier touch points, and logistics planning. Successful completion of these phases will inform a low-rate initial production contract, with the first unit equipped projected for future fiscal years. This phased approach ensures operational requirements are refined with early user feedback and supports future sustainment concepts.

Project G11: Advanced Electric Energy Conversion Advanced Development is a new start and is designated as a Congressional Interest Item. Managed by Project Manager Expeditionary Energy & Sustainment Systems (PM E2S2), the project aims to mature and integrate advanced power technologies to support next-generation tactical electric power (TEP) sources for all Services. Funding supports technology maturation for the Universal Power Gateway (UPG), which will enable more efficient use of battlefield power sources, enhance survivability through signature reduction, and reduce logistics resupply needs. The project also includes Congressional funding for continued analysis and planning related to the potential transition of the mobile micro-reactor program to the Army.

The Advanced Electric Energy Conversion project supports development of prototypes and technology maturation for advanced power storage, power conversion, and microgrid interoperability. Efforts include making commercial generators compliant with the Tactical Microgrid Standard (TMS), developing microgrid controllers and dashboards, and implementing cybersecurity for power component communications. These initiatives are intended to extend operational mission reach, support multi-domain operations, and reduce the Army's sustainment gap for power storage and distribution.