CAVs: A Federal Opportunity By David Boone, Malcolm Dougherty, and Matt Smith
Logistics management is critical for the readiness and success of armed forces, with the seamless movement of people and goods throughout military bases necessary for a successful outpost. The largest military instal- lations in the world more often resemble self- sufficient, completely functional cities than bases. North Carolina’s Fort Bragg, one of the largest military bases in the world, covers
more than 251 square miles, has a total population of 260,000 and is known as “the center of the military universe.” Each day, thousands of people and goods are mobilized and transported throughout the base. The military’s complex logistical network needs to operate around the world in uncertain circumstances, with potential threats to operations ever-present. It involves not only getting goods from point A to point B but also design and development, acquisition, distribution, mainte- nance, and movement of materiel, as well as the throughput of person- nel. In that regard, military bases are logistical hubs, with intensive coordination needed to keep them running smoothly. In the civilian world, advanced smart systems technology has allowed connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to become a reality, greatly increasing the efficiency and capacity of transportation. Within military bases, this technology provides new and exciting opportunities for movement but comes with its own unique set of challenges that must be addressed for successful implementation. Transporting People We see the opportunity for CAV enhancements from the beginning of one’s experience on the base: the entry control point (ECP). On any given day, a base could have thousands of Military personnel, civil- ian staff and visitors passing through the ECP. Anyone coming from outside the base perimeter starts their journey through this ECP before dispersing to their final destination. At the checkpoint, CAV technolo - gies could be leveraged to help identify those in cars to ensure they have clearance for a faster entry process. In the not-too-distant future, we could be seeing CAVs bringing people to the ECPs in the form of shuttles from downtown or civilian areas, making these locations a logical place to continue the use of CAV technology. Once inside the gate, we can utilize CAVs shuttles to move people throughout the base. We can more efficiently move people along the most-traveled routes, while having the added benefits of reduced emissions and congestion.
CAVs are also an option when we think about transporting patients to/ from a base’s hospital. By reducing the contact between patient and a doctor or nurse, we can limit exposure to potentially infectious diseases. Materiel Logistics Military bases are a gathering place, with the unique necessity to bring assets to destinations that span from buildings to planes, ships and submarines. With bases potentially spanning miles, the logistical considerations are monumental. Particularly for ships and submarines, which are capable of housing hundreds of Sailors and Marines for six months at a time, these platforms oftentimes need to have a high vol- ume of parts changed, ammunition restocked, and stores replenished in a short amount of time. Currently, materiel is coming from various locations around the base and being moved on tractor trailers or other vehicles, which can cause congestion and a host of other issues when being moved. There is value in changing transportation practices to allow for a more efficient and effective way of materiel movement. Base Security Fort Bragg has an exterior boundary of approximately 70 miles. That is a lot of ground to cover when it comes to keeping the base up to security standards and protected from outside threats. The military continues to invest in research and deployment of unmanned ground and aerial system, adapting those developments to base security is a logical progression. CAVs can be incorporated into security measures, complementing the efforts of those soldiers tasked with keeping the base safe. This can be achieved by using CAVs equipped with the ap - propriate cameras and sensors to monitor for threats, whether these are land-based vehicles or sea crafts. If we are able to establish strict security requirements for CAVs, we will be able to take personnel out of harm’s way, have more effective tools to mitigate threats as well as create efficiencies to reduce the personnel demand for security. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – or drones – have been a debated topic for use in military security. Currently, there are restrictions on
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september 2020
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