Improving in-transit and in-theatre asset visibility of the Canadian Armed Forces supply chain network

A key functionality in military logistics is the concept of sense and respond logistics to provide asset visibility, rapid response, and advanced agility tailored to all military decision levels: strategic, operational, and tactical. Future military forces do require a near-real-time in-transit and total visibility of assets, personnel, and vital supplies. The implementation of an end-to-end asset visibility (AV) model enabled by novel tracking and monitoring technologies, is essential toward reaching the desired goal. This paper proposes an integrated model for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) supply network suitable for asset visibility tracking and monitoring. It presents a high level design framework for end-to-end visibility and up to date asset information. It also discusses novel emergent technology, such as Next-Generation Wireless Communication (NGWC) mesh networking protocol (combined to active RFID) and RuBee, and its emerging challenges to successfully track CAF assets and provide in-theatre and in-transit visibility. NGWC technology provides an ultra-low power wireless protocol to collect and route logistics data to information systems which could be very effective in closing in-theatre and in-transit asset visibility gaps.