The Autonomous Last Mile: A Logistics Plugin for TAK

The 'last mile' of the supply chain is often the most dangerous and complex part of military logistics. What if we could automate it? This SITREP outlines a concept for a TAK plugin that allows a platoon leader to request resupply—water, ammo, batteries—with a few taps on their EUD. The plugin would then task an autonomous ground or air vehicle to deliver the goods to a precise location, all while providing real-time tracking data back to the entire team. It's about reducing risk and increasing operational tempo.

An army, as they say, marches on its stomach. But in the 21st century, it also marches on batteries, ammunition, and a thousand other critical supplies. And the most difficult, dangerous, and expensive part of getting those supplies to the front lines is the 'last mile'. It's the final, treacherous journey from the forward operating base to the soldier in the foxhole. And it's a problem that is ripe for disruption by autonomy.

For too long, we have relied on brave young soldiers to drive trucks through contested territory to deliver supplies. It's a high-risk, low-tech solution to a problem that can be solved with technology. That's why we are developing a logistics plugin for TAK that will automate the last mile. It's about using autonomous ground and air vehicles to deliver the goods, so our soldiers don't have to.

Imagine a platoon leader who is running low on ammunition. With our plugin, they can simply pull out their TAK device, tap a few buttons, and order a resupply. The request is automatically routed to the nearest logistics hub, where an autonomous vehicle is loaded with the requested ammunition. The vehicle then navigates its way to the platoon's position, using a suite of advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and threats. The platoon leader can track the progress of the delivery in real-time on their TAK device, and when it arrives, they simply unload the supplies and send the vehicle on its way.

This is not a far-off vision; it's a capability that we are building today. We are developing the autonomous ground vehicles, the delivery drones, and the TAK plugin that will make it all work. We are creating a system that is not only more efficient, but also far safer than the current model.

The impact on the battlefield will be profound. We will be able to sustain our forces in more remote and austere locations. We will reduce the risk to our logistics personnel. And we will increase the operational tempo, as our soldiers will spend less time waiting for supplies and more time fighting the enemy. The autonomous last mile is a critical component of the 21st-century battlefield, and we are proud to be leading the way.