Autonomous & AI-Enabled Contested Logistics for Distributed Operations

Description

This is an Open Challenge with rolling reviews under the Joint Rapid Fielding Activity (JRFA) marketplace, sponsored in coordination with USTRANSCOM, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and the Joint Logistics Enterprise. The challenge seeks mature prototype solutions—autonomous platforms, AI-driven decision aids, and distributed manufacturing capabilities—that enable sustained logistics support to distributed forces operating in contested and denied environments, with primary focus on the INDOPACOM theater.

Overall Objective

Identify, evaluate, and rapidly field autonomous and AI-enabled logistics capabilities that allow Joint Force elements to sustain distributed operations across contested multi-domain environments for a minimum of 30 days without reliable access to primary logistics nodes. Solutions must reduce the logistics footprint at the point of need, decrease dependency on contested lines of communication, and enable predictive/adaptive logistics planning under degraded communications.

Problem Statement

Today’s military logistics architecture is optimized for the permissive, infrastructure-rich environments of the last two decades of counterinsurgency and stability operations. In an INDOPACOM contingency against a peer adversary, every assumption fails. Fixed logistics nodes become priority targets. Predictable resupply patterns are exploitable. GPS and SATCOM degradation disrupts supply chain visibility. The Joint Force lacks organic autonomous delivery platforms at scale, and those in development remain at TRL 4-5 with limited integration into operational logistics C2 systems.

Desired Solution

Proposed solutions must address one or more capability areas: Autonomous Resupply Platforms (200-2,000 lb payloads, 100-500 NM range, GPS-denied nav, MIL-STD-810H), Predictive Logistics AI (edge-deployable, 15-min replanning, DIL-compatible), Distributed/Expeditionary Manufacturing (TRICON/ISO containerized, C-130J airliftable), or Logistics C2 Integration (MIL-STD-1553B, JADC2 compatible). TRL 5-7 preferred. Non-traditional defense companies explicitly welcomed.

Key Attributes

Submission Scoring Rubric