Improve interoperability 

with the Military Services 

for technical data

The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency

Established 1961

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DLA

Research & Development

DEFENSE LOGISTICS INFORMATION RESEARCH (DLIR)

OBJECTIVE

DLIR Program researches core technologies to improve the quality, security, and interoperability of 

logistics data. DLA must transform business practices and methodologies as Industry and the 

Military Services have begun their transition to product model technologies that produce 3D 

technical data while DLA’s current procurement processes primarily use 2D technical data.

INTEROPERABILITY

Improve interoperability with 

Military Services for technical 

data and other products

DIGITAL THREAD / DIGITAL TWIN

Support the development of the DT/DT which is 

the foundation for connecting DLA’s procurement 

and quality assurance activities to the Military 

Services Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) 

and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations) in a 

closed loop

INDUSTRY 4.0

Industry 4.0 research to assist Small 

and Medium Manufacturers

(SMMs)

Produce criteria and business 

case to convert legacy 2D 

technical data into modern 

3D formats

Support DLA Technical Data 

Management Transformation 

(TDMT) Efforts

STRATEGIC THRUSTS

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Identify efficient and 

effective methods for the 

Military Services to replace 

2D Technical Data 

Packages (TDPs) with 

model-based TDPs. 

Improve Warfighter 

readiness with near 

real-time 3D technical 

data directly from the 

Military Services.

Demonstrate a 

complete end-toend digital thread 

across all phases 

of acquisition.

Spread awareness 

of DLA 3D data 

requirements 

throughout DOD.

WA R F IG H T E R ALWAYS

Program Manager: Dr. Senthil Arul Senthil.Arul@dla.mil
WARFIGHTER READINESS

THE BENEFITS

• Modernized technical data packages with 3D models; 

improved support for routine DLA procurements

• Improved data sharing between customers, DLA, and 

Industry for more efficient, cost-effective parts support, to 

include Additive Manufacturing (AM) and other advanced 

manufacturing applications

• Coordinated development of DOD Digital Engineering 

standards and practices including MIL-STD 31000, OSD’s 

Digital Engineering Strategy, and the Additive 

Manufacturing for Maintenance Operations Working Group

THE CHALLENGE

• While Industry and the Military Services have 

begun their transition to product model 

technologies that produce 3D technical data, 

DLA’s current procurement processes use 2D 

technical data

• Lack of interoperability between the Military 

Services and DLA for technical and business 

data

DLA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

DLIR PROGRAM

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ONGOING EFFORTS

WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS

• MILITARY SERVICES

• DLA MAJOR 

SUBORDINATE 

COMMANDS (MSCS)

• DLA J3, J6, J7

• OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

(OSD)

• MANUFACTURING INNOVATION INSTITUTES

• Leveraged 3D technical data from the USAF KC135 weapon system to produce a near real time collaboration 

tool to bring DLA, the engineering authority, and the supplier into the same digital workspace. 

• Build upon the KC135 effort and apply it to the Paladin Howitzer weapon system by engaging with suppliers to 

convert up to 50 NSNs to model based TDPs, and eventually gain concurrence from the Army ESAs to have 

the model-based TDPs become the authoritative TDPs.

• Continued Industry 4.0 research to assist Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs) to include the 

development of a cloud-based, AI-enabled, searchable, quarriable PLM lite system.

Program Manager: Dr. Senthil Arul Senthil.Arul@dla.mil

WA R F I G H T E R ALWAYS

https://www.dla.mil/InformationOperations/Research-And-Development/