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1. Just-in-Time Sustainment
Weight Panel
3 May 2001
Dr. Michael Krause
Edward Doucette
1

2. The Problem
• The Objective Force Soldier will require clothing,
protective gear, weapons and equipment with a
total weight of 91 pounds.
– Reduction of the weight carried by the soldier is critical
• To lower the sustainment load carried by the
objective force soldier, delivery mechanisms must
be provided which anticipate the soldiers
requirements and deliver required supplies when
needed by individual soldiers
– Just-In-Time (JIT) small package delivery of essential
food, water, ammunition, protective clothing, batteries,
and replacement items
2

3. The Problem
• JIT resupply methods for small,
configurable packages of less than 50
pounds (optimum is 30 pounds)
– Individual/Squad ground “mule” under
consideration
– Possible better option:
• Airborne squad/individual resupply drone
– Not currently being considered in existing and
draft operational requirements
3

4. What is needed?
• Objective force soldiers need to have on-call
capability of pre-configured small packages
containing six essential components:
– Ammunition
– Protective gear
– Food
– Water
– Batteries
– Medical items
• These small packages should be delivered via
individual/squad leader-controlled powered para-
glide or ultra-light A/C drones
4

5. Technology Feasibility?
• Technologies being advanced in powered parafoil
and soldier comms areas could be integrated to
provide core of required capability
• Army’s Precision & Extended Glide Airdrop
System (PEGASYS) guided, precision airdrop
program and requirements document
– Concentrates on load of 250 pounds and above, doesn’t
focus on small package resupply
– Proven technical feasibility of powered parafoil
resupply drone
• 600 lbs total payload capacity in 6-12 separate configuable
packages
• Airdrop and ground launch (HMMWV assist) options
• Under development w/ SOCOM for PSYOPS5 Leaflet Delivery

6. Powered Parafoil Precision Airdrop
Capabilities
Payloads: 500 - 1,000 lbs.
Altitude: 25,000 ft.
Accuracy: 50 - 100 meters CEP
Offset Distance: 300+ km
Operational Benefits
• Precise, autonomous emplacement of sensors,
munitions, supplies, leaflets from extended distances
• Airdrop or ground launchable
• Return recovery of airdrop vehicle for reuse
• Multiple DZs from single airdrop system
Technologies applied
• Powered parafoil & Semi-rigid Deployable Wing
• Autonomous GPS-based guidance, navigation &
control
Customers
• SOCOM
• USMC
• ARMY
Availability/Transition Date
• Army STO and ACT II Projects completed
• SOCOM system application and Foreign Comparative
Test On-going
6

7. What is needed?
• Package delivery should be on call or pre-arranged
• Package delivery should have a CEP of 10-20 meters
• Packages should be carried by drones - para-glide or
alternative aerial scout vehicles
– Delivery to ground by small parachute or appropriate decelerator
• On call method of delivery should be internet and soldier
comms network capable
• Packages can be pre-configured for mission changes, for
example, different ammo and protective clothing.
• Packages could be consolidated for squad, platoon delivery
if soldiers are in an assembly area or a pre-arranged
meeting area. These containerized packages are now in the
above 250 pound range.
7

8. What is needed?
• The just-in-time sustainment must anticipate the
individual soldier’s needs.
• The delivery vehicle should be loitering for pre-
planned or real time immediate response
• An assortment of small package delivery
mechanism should be airborne to support the
soldiers anticipated requirements.
• Drone can also serve as squad airborne scout
platform while loitering w/ addition of appropriate
sensors
8

9. Far Out!
• The objective soldier goes on a mission. He is an Army of
One. He will not carry a 3 day sustainment load. He will
be sustained with predetermined push packages timed for
his needs. Additional packages are delivered when the
soldier calls for them. Ten meter CEP, 100k meter stand-
off for the delivery vehicle
• The objective soldier will use web-based technology to
state the anticipated requirement.
• For immediate requirements he will use voice
connectivity.
• The objective force soldier will be linked to his team via
real-time situational awareness. Larger sustainment
containers will be delivered to a pre-arranged assembly
point.
9

10. Far out!!
• Loitering para-glide drone air delivery
vehicles will be on call with pre-sorted
small packages.
• When the soldier calls, the pre-sorted item
will be parachute delivered to him.
10

11. Far Out!!
• Become the “FedEx” delivery mechanism
of small air delivered packages.
• Tie to possible commercialization and
humanitarian use in disaster and peace
keeping operations
11

12. Recommendations
• Add the small, individual soldier package, air delivery
concept to the ORD
• Leverage SOCOM Leaflet Delivery System
development
• Synergize with Picatinny Arsenal Intelligent
Minefield (Air delivery) future plans
• Work within the Joint Experimentation series of
exercises - “Olympic Challenge 04”
• Funding – Propose program as part of Objective Force
Warrior S&T Initiative
• Tie into airborne assault, special operations and just-
in-time sustainment doctrine
• Look as humanitarian connection for small package
precise air delivery
• Look at commercial applicability 12