Military cargo uses new technology.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Inside Alaska Business

Chenega Technology Services Corp. and the University of Alaska Anchorage are helping the Department of Defense (DoD) to synchronize military cargo shipments, from factory to foxhole. The goal is for all the military services, defense agencies and commercial enterprises to achieve greater visibility of shipments to improve confidence, efficiency and reliability.

The assistance comes through a $6.88 million contract to Chenega and its subcontractor, UAA. The Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Transportation Command administer the contract initiative. The technology relies on radio frequency identification (RFID), a data-input system of tags, readers and computer software, which lets defense supply chain managers "see" into their end-to-end distribution pipeline and track cargo from origin to destination.

The Alaska initiative will establish the network through which DoD will move forces and materiel and gain visibility. It involves air, land and sea shipments from the...