M1224 MaxxPro MRAPs ready for issue to the 44th Infantry Brigade at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 18, 2024. (DVIDS)
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has provided the US Army with essential lessons in logistics and supply chain management. These lessons highlight the need for agility, flexibility, and real-time visibility in operations, lessons that are now guiding the Army’s efforts to modernize its Prepositioned Stocks (APS).
The Army’s modernization efforts aim to enhance its readiness and ensure it can maintain a strong deterrent presence while adapting to the increased global projection requirements of the future.
Lessons Learned in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Ukraine’s conflict has underscored the importance of supply chain adaptability, particularly in high-pressure, rapidly evolving environments.
The US Army has learned that maintaining real-time visibility of its logistics operations allows for better decision-making and faster responses.
The need for agility is critical, as it ensures the Army can adjust to unexpected changes in the operational environment, whether that involves shifting supply routes or reconfiguring equipment and resources on short notice.
Flexibility is also essential to effectively manage the increasing complexity and uncertainty in global military operations, which are exacerbated by unpredictable threats and limited resources.
As the Army continues to reduce its forward troop presence globally, modernization of APS is becoming even more crucial.
APS supports global power projection by positioning critical warfighting materials and equipment worldwide, reducing the need for large-scale, strategic lift capabilities in times of crisis. As global threats remain high, updating APS to meet the needs of Army 2040, focused on more sophisticated and faster deployments, ensures the Army can respond to emerging challenges without sacrificing effectiveness or readiness.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has provided the US Army with essential lessons in logistics and supply chain management. These lessons highlight the need for agility, flexibility, and real-time visibility in operations, lessons that are now guiding the Army’s efforts to modernize its Prepositioned Stocks (APS).
The Army’s modernization efforts aim to enhance its readiness and ensure it can maintain a strong deterrent presence while adapting to the increased global projection requirements of the future.
Lessons Learned in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Ukraine’s conflict has underscored the importance of supply chain adaptability, particularly in high-pressure, rapidly evolving environments.
The US Army has learned that maintaining real-time visibility of its logistics operations allows for better decision-making and faster responses.
The need for agility is critical, as it ensures the Army can adjust to unexpected changes in the operational environment, whether that involves shifting supply routes or reconfiguring equipment and resources on short notice.
Flexibility is also essential to effectively manage the increasing complexity and uncertainty in global military operations, which are exacerbated by unpredictable threats and limited resources.
As the Army continues to reduce its forward troop presence globally, modernization of APS is becoming even more crucial.
APS supports global power projection by positioning critical warfighting materials and equipment worldwide, reducing the need for large-scale, strategic lift capabilities in times of crisis. As global threats remain high, updating APS to meet the needs of Army 2040, focused on more sophisticated and faster deployments, ensures the Army can respond to emerging challenges without sacrificing effectiveness or readiness.
Modernizing Army Prepositioned Stocks (APS)
The Army’s APS provides essential warfighting materials, including combat and support equipment, which are strategically located to enable rapid deployment when needed. These stockpiles reduce the reliance on air and sea lift capabilities, which are critical during a crisis.
The Army’s modernization of APS focuses on leveraging emerging technologies to streamline operations, improve maintenance efficiency, and enhance overall readiness.
One key modernization effort is the use of autonomous drones for equipment inspections. These drones can quickly identify issues such as exterior damage, oil leaks, and rust, significantly reducing the time spent on manual inspections. By automating basic maintenance tasks, the Army can improve oversight and maintenance capacity, making the process faster and more accurate.
Autonomous drones equipped with image recognition artificial intelligence (AI) could also generate real-time maintenance reports, allowing for faster fault detection and repairs.
The Ultra 2XL autonomous UAS (drone) lifts off during Project Convergence-Capstone 5 (PC-C5), March 2025. (DVIDS)
The Army also plans to integrate predictive fleet management technologies into APS operations. By using machine learning and real-time data analytics, the Army can move from a reactive to a predictive maintenance model. This would enable the Army to address equipment issues before they become critical, reducing downtime and extending the operational lifespan of equipment.
Predictive analytics can help the Army prioritize maintenance tasks based on actual equipment conditions, making the process more efficient and tailored to the needs of the fleet.
In addition to predictive maintenance, the use of Augmented Reality (AR) is another cornerstone of APS modernization.
A Soldier experiments with AR Microsoft HoloLens goggles during Project Convergence 22. (DVIDS)
AR, through tools such as Microsoft HoloLens, can enhance the training and inspection capabilities of Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) and maintenance personnel.
These technologies provide real-time guidance for inspections, helping inexperienced personnel follow proper procedures and improving the overall quality of oversight. AR can also enable real-time support from experts, allowing for faster troubleshooting and reduced travel costs.
Joint Theater Additive Manufacturing (JTAM)
A key part of the APS modernization is expanding the Army’s use of Joint Theater Additive Manufacturing (JTAM), which would allow APS sites to produce critical parts on-site. By collocating additive manufacturing capabilities with APS sites, the Army can reduce Customer Wait Time (CWT) and eliminate the need for long lead times for parts shipments from the US This capability would not only streamline maintenance operations but also enhance interoperability with Joint and Coalition Partners, facilitating quicker support and repair operations in theater.
Smart Warehousing
The Army also plans to implement Smart Warehousing technologies to enhance the management of APS sites. This involves the use of automated systems to track the status of equipment, ensuring that all items are readily available when needed.
Smart warehousing will provide real-time data on the condition of equipment, allowing for better prioritization and maintenance planning.
It will also enable equipment to be scanned and tracked as it enters and exits facilities, ensuring that maintenance and readiness statuses are continuously updated and accessible.
In Summary
As the US Army plans for Army 2040, modernizing APS is crucial for readiness in global crises. By integrating autonomous drones, predictive maintenance, AR, and additive manufacturing, the Army boosts efficiency and power projection. These upgrades enhance operational readiness, enabling rapid response and maintaining deterrence in a changing security environment.
The evolution of APS is key to strengthening the Army’s global reach and combat capabilities.
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