The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency

E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DLA

Research & Development

OBJECTIVE

To advance innovation, science & technology into DLA’s Distribution/Disposition network 

through research & development of technology solutions. To develop smart-warehouses for 

DLA in order to optimize warehouse operations to efficiently & effectively sustain warfighter 

readiness. 

STRATEGIC THRUSTS

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

WARFIGHTER ALWAYS

Program Manager: Danielle Williams Danielle.Williams@dla.mil

▪ Identify technologies solutions to solve the problem areas 

above

▪ R&D support includes market research, requirements 

analysis, research & development, feasibility studies, 

prototype development, test & evaluation, and Business 

Case Analyses (BCAs)

▪ Improvements include automation for DLA 

Distribution/Disposition business processes in inventory 

management, material distribution, and asset visibility

STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTION AND

DISPOSITION (SDD)

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

DoD’s inventory management practices and 

procedures have been ineffective and 

inefficient. DoD has experienced high levels 

of inventory that were in excess of 

requirements and weaknesses inaccurately 

forecasting the demand for inventory items.

MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION

DoD has faced challenges in delivering 

supplies and equipment, including not 

meeting delivery standards and 

timelines for cargo shipments as well 

as not maintaining complete delivery 

data for surface shipments.

ASSET VISIBILITY

DoD has had weaknesses in

maintaining visibility of supplies, 

such as problems with inadequate 

radio-frequency identification 

information to track all cargo 

movements.

Support DOD Modernization 

Priorities

5G Connectivity

Automation & Robotics

Artificial Intelligence

Integrated Network of Systems of Systems

Cybersecurity Controls

Support DLA Strategic Plan

DLA’s Mission of sustaining 

warfighter readiness

DLA’s Vision of being innovative

Modernize Acquisition & Supply 

Chain Management

Support DLA CIO’s Information & 

Technology Strategy 

Digital Business Transformation

Continually modernize

Cybersecurity Controls

Advance analytics

Technology governance

Continue driving innovation by managing science 

& technology for DLA Distribution/Disposition

PROBLEM AREAS
WARFIGHTER READINESS

THE BENEFITS

• Optimization of DLA Distribution/Disposition Centers 

• Automation of DLA Distribution/Disposition business process to reduce labor 

hours, operational cost, human error, and lead in completing tasks 

• Enhance and improve DLA’s logistics response to the warfighter

DLA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

SDD PROGRAM

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ONGOING EFFORTS

• Strategic partnership w/ OUSD R&E, NAVSUP, & MARCOLOG to establish the DLA 5G 

Smart Warehouse Test Bed at DDAG

• Strategic partnership w/ DOD Sponsors Research Center (FFRDCs/UARCs)

• Establish addendums (User Requirements) for Distribution Modernization Program (DMP)

• Establish 5G Integrate Product Team (WIPT) for project collaboration

• Engage Industry for effective and affordable solutions

• Integrate DOD System Engineering concepts for a system of system 5G Smart-warehouse

Program Manager: Danielle Williams Danielle.Williams@dla.mil

WARFIGHTER ALWAYS

INDUSTRY AND WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS

THE CHALLENGE

The SDD program challenges include legacy capabilities that are 

inadequate for emerging worldwide distribution and disposition 

requirements resulting in inefficient business process that are labor 

intensive leading to long lead times in completing tasks, incurring human 

error and inaccuracy of data, and high cost in labor and operations 

compromising DLA logistics respond to the warfighter. 

• FFRDCs

• ERDC

• NAVSUP

• Industry

• MARCOLOG

• UARC

• NIWC

• OUSD R&E

THE SOLUTION

Develop Smart warehouses for DLA in order to optimize distribution 

operations to effectively and efficiently sustain warfighter readiness. The 

Smart warehouse is a system of system composed of Robotics, Modeling 

& Simulation, Sensor IoT, Cybersecurity controls, the cloud, Augmented 

Reality, 5G Connectivity, and AI (predictive analytics).

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