The joint modular intermodal container, is this the future of naval logistics?

Abstract

Under the fiscal reality of the 21st century military budget, the typically manpower intensive United States Navy has had to learn to do more with less of everything, in many cases specifically less sailors. One mission area that is prime for manpower reduction is naval logistics. JMIC, the Joint Military Intermodal Container is a combined Naval Sea Systems Command/ Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (NAVSEA/OPNAV) program that is designed to change the way the United States Navy conducts logistics. Automation and efficiency improvements inherent to the JMIC program are proposed to drastically lower the manpower requirements and complexity of the US Navy logistics pipeline. JMIC is a program in the very early stages of development. This thesis will examine some of the operational and technical challenges associated with incorporating JMIC into the United States Navy, and ultimately United States Military logistics architecture.