FIELD FEEDING 

SOLUTIONS

Deployable Group Rations 

(DGR) Platform for Unitized 

Group Ration (UGR) 

The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency

Established 1961

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DLA

Research & Development

SUBSISTENCE NETWORK (SUBNET)

OBJECTIVE

The Subsistence Network (SUBNET) program is an Industrial Preparedness Manufacturing Technology 

(ManTech) Program in DLA R&D that promotes manufacturing and logistics improvements in the 

subsistence supply chain. The SUBNET program focuses on leveraging the latest technologies, 

encouraging innovation and modernization to maximize capability and capacity in subsistence. The goals 

of SUBNET projects include reducing costs, enhancing quality, increasing efficiencies, and improving 

surge demand capabilities. The SUBNET Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)-0004-21 focus areas are:

FOOD 

EQUIPMENT

STORAGE PACKAGING 

SOLUTIONS

Improving Subsistence Visibility 

by Enhancing Automated 

Receiving and Ordering

Automation Robotics 

in Dining Facilities

STRATEGIC THRUSTS

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Identification of 

solutions that 

improve current field 

feeding procedures and operations

Development of initiatives that 

reduce food waste, reduce 

size, optimize storage capacity, and reduce cost such as lowering current food footprint levels

Conducting projects 

supporting quality and 

process improvements of 

operational rations, in 

subsistence products, 

processes, or equipment

WA R F IG H T E R ALWAYS

Program Manager: Gloria Edwards Gloria.Edwards@dla.mil

COMBAT 

RATIONS

FOOD 

FOOTPRINT

FOOD 

INNOVATIONS

FOOD SAFETY 

& DEFENSE

GARRISON 

FEEDING

SURGE & SUSTAINMENT 

SUPPORT

NUTRITION & 

HEALTH
WARFIGHTER READINESS

THE BENEFITS

• Transform and modernize subsistence capabilities to 

sustain warfighter readiness and lethality

• Improve technology and innovate processes to sustain 

the industrial base

• Leverage emerging technologies in order to remain 

competitive and better serve our customers long term

THE CHALLENGE

The Subsistence Network (SUBNET) Program must 

stay abreast of current and emerging trends, 

technological advancements, and innovations in the 

subsistence supply chain to be viable to the 

warfighters in the future. This includes improving 

subsistence processes and products; and 

researching, identifying, developing, and testing 

low-risk, high-impact technologies; and transitioning 

improved technologies and processes into the 

subsistence supply chain.

DLA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

SUBNET PROGRAM

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ONGOING EFFORTS

WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

• U.S. COAST GUARD

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

• MEALS READY TO EAT ASSEMBLERS

• JOINT DEFENSE MANUFACTURING 

PANEL

• ACADEMIA

• DLA TROOP SUPPORT 

SUBSISTENCE

• U.S. NAVY

• U.S. MARINES

• U.S. ARMY

• U.S. AIR FORCE

• Identification of Critical Performance Properties for Barrier Materials in Hot Sauce Packaging for MREs

• Biodegradable Cellulosic Bio-Polymer to replace plastics for Military Food Packaging and Food Service

• Modernization and Readiness Analysis of Joint Food Management Systems (JFMS) Piloting Phase 

• Novel Radio Frequency Sterilization processing to improve the quality of rations for the warfighter

• Heating, Hydrating Combat Rations (HHYCOR) to heat and purify water for Meal Cold Weather rations

• Examine the origin of PFAS Compounds in Packing Material used to assemble MREs with the suppliers 

• Separation, Composting, Recycling and Repurposing System to recycle or repurpose plastics waste 

Program Manager: Gloria Edwards Gloria.Edwards@dla.mil

WA R F I G H T E R ALWAYS

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