Air Mobility Command Successfully Achieves Logistics Decision Advantage at Exercise Valiant Shield 24

“The integration of NADACS autonomous sensing capabilities into our dashboard far exceeded our expectations for ITV and asset visibility.” 

Maj Gen Dave Sanford, AMC Director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, June 2024  

The recent Exercise Valiant Shield 2024 (VS24) was not just another military drill; it was a groundbreaking opportunity for the U.S. Air Mobility Command (AMC) to test innovative technologies and improve logistics operations in near real-time. Central to this effort was the Naval Autonomous Data Collection System (NADACS), which played a pivotal role in enhancing in-transit visibility (ITV) of assets deployed across the Pacific. NADACS collects, stores, aggregates, and displays logistics data from multiple sources to track and monitor logistics processes, generating accurate data to enhance mission effectiveness and readiness. NADACS is comprised of data collectors, such as passive radio frequency identification (RFID) or wireless sensor mesh tags, a back-end data environment to aggregate, store, and transform that data to make it useful for users or transmit the data to other enterprise systems, and a front-end web interface to visualize the data.

A Robust Partnership

AMC recognized the need for advanced visibility solutions after the impressive yet challenging outcomes of Mobility Guardian 23. With the goal of improving ITV confidence and enabling dynamic re-tasking of mobility assets based on onboard cargo, AMC collaborated with LMI and partner hardware vendors to collect cargo location data using cutting-edge mesh sensors and feed that data into the NADACS data lake. NADACS is being developed by the Naval Supply Systems Command to improve data collection across the logistics lifecycle. This joint pilot effort encompassed various tasks, including measuring fuel levels autonomously and integrating NADACS data into AMC’s THANOS dashboard in the Air Force’s Basing and Logistics Analytics Data Environment (BLADE).

A Cutting-Edge Network

NADACS stands out with its ability to collect data using active mesh sensor tags, forming a self-healing mesh network that provides geolocation data feeds over the Iridium satellite system. This resilient network is low power, hard to detect, and fortified with encryption techniques, offering exceptional security and reliability in asset tracking.  

Pilot Testing at Joint Locations

Valiant Shield 24 was chosen as the expansive testing ground. LMI and AMC stationed themselves across Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), Travis Air Force Base (AFB), and Yokota Air Base. A total of 16 deploying assets from JBMDL and 9 from Travis AFB were equipped with mesh tags monitoring assets effectively during the exercise.

Tagged assets were monitored from the aerial port of embarkation at JBMDL and Travis AFB, to the aerial port of debarkation at Yokota, with location data seamlessly transmitted to NADACS. By connecting key deployment data to specific tags, AMC could efficiently track cargo associated with particular airlift missions.

Real-Time Asset Tracking Success

Upon arrival at Yokota, tagged cargo data began to transmit into NADACS within just 15 minutes of aircraft arrival, providing critical data in near-real-time. This valuable information was then uploaded into the AMC’s VS24 exercise dashboard in BLADE, facilitating swift logistics decisions by providing higher headquarters with unparalleled asset visibility.

A standout achievement occurred when 9 tagged assets were deployed from Travis AFB to a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) location. The quick activation of a battery-operated mobile mesh gateway, the device that transmits the mesh tag data into NADACS, by the contingency response forces demonstrated the system's effectiveness. With minimal training, the unit transmitted cargo location data into THANOS without relying on commercial or host nation resources.                                 

Continual Improvement and Future Integration

NADACS ability to augment existing transportation systems with near-real time cargo data was clearly illustrated during this exercise, proving that ITV can be maintained both at home station and in deployed locations with minimal investment. To further enrich the data available through NADACS, a data field for transportation control numbers has been added, allowing for deeper insight and integration with airlift mission data.

Amid these advancements, AMC also identified growth opportunities in fuel management in deployed and distributed locations. The AMC staff coordinated with Global Strike Command for NADACS to demonstrate autonomous reporting for fuel fill and consumption levels and rates in bladders during Exercise Global Storm. AMC and Team LMI partnered to develop and test a prototype sensor that uses ultrasound to measure fuel levels autonomously—significantly increasing accuracy while reducing manual labor.

Empowering Decision-Making

Integrating NADACS during Exercise Valiant Shield 2024 has proved invaluable, offering leaders clear, accurate, and timely data essential for making informed logistical decisions. According to Major General (Maj Gen) Sanford, “[NADACS] provides an affordable, easily deployable capability to fill gaps in logistics warfighting capabilities.” The streamlined link of asset information with ITV capabilities positions the warfighter with unprecedented support, ensuring readiness and effectiveness in future operations. As technologies evolve and applications expand, the promise of NADACS in advancing military logistics looks brighter than ever.