A U.S. Air Force Base Automates and Streamlines Asset Tracking

The 57th Munitions Squadron (MUNS) at Nellis Air Force Base was facing significant challenges to its munitions and logistics management. Traditional operations were labor-intensive, inefficient, error-prone and unsustainable, consuming approximately 250 man-hours a week that could be better utilized in carrying out mission-critical tasks.  

Located outside Las Vegas, Nevada, Nellis AFB houses hundreds of storage bunkers, all requiring manual operations in order to maintain accurate inventory logs, inventory management, asset-tracking and data entry. Yet the existing asset-management platform, the Theater Integrated Combat Munitions System (TICMS), was relying on manual data input, exacerbating inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. 

Through a grant provided under Phase II of the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR II) program, Nellis Air Force Base collaborated with asset-tracking technology provider SEE ID Inc. to implement a new track-and-trace logistics system that would streamline operations, significantly reduce manual labor, and improve tracking accuracy. 

Key components of the project included:

• Item-level tracking using 5G passive labels. These enable precise, real-time tracking of munitions, reducing the need for manual inventory checks.
• Visual inventory management, using electronic e-paper markers and shelf labels. This minimized manual data entry and associated errors, significantly reducing labor hours.
• Long-Range RF Locating of Trailers (LRL), including automated load and unload actions.
• Smart Logistics Platforms. This deployed artificial intelligence to optimize warehousing and distribution, improving decision-making and operational flow.

To enable real-time tracking of trailers and personnel throughout the facility, a tag was affixed to a trailer and two carts moving across the base. The demonstration tracked the moving assets on maps, logging historical movements for later analysis. Tags and gateways are certified under the Air Force’s HERO (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance Certification and Management) safety program. 

According to the Air Force, the software from SEE ID Inc. demonstrated the ability to monitor the real-time location of a trailer anywhere in the base with a single antenna station. Integration to the legacy TICMS is not required. In addition, an inspection app records required trailer inspections, and flags items for maintenance. 

Tracking can be carried in a GPS-denied environment — situations where GPS signals are unavailable — if needed. The long range of the LRL antennae allows for coverage of the entire base as well as a significant area around it. 

Smart battery-powered tags scan items being loaded on trailers, forklifts or other means of conveyance, utilizing 5G connectivity, in order to automatically update asset movements and inventories. The tags can also read sensors that track tire pressure, temperature and movement. 

The 5G labels and smart tags contain barcodes with readable printouts. The feature permits those who aren’t using the automated system to obtain the information manually. It also provides backup storage in the event of unexpected system failure. Both labels and tags can be supplied in tamper-detectable forms, enhancing system security. 

The tracking capability cuts down on radio traffic, enables better command awareness of real-time status of orders, and provides valuable accountability data to investigate incidents, in addition to enhancing security and minimizing muster time in case of emergencies, the Air Force said. 

Additional benefits derived from the deployment of SEE ID’s technology included:

• Man-hour savings. A dramatic reduction in manual labor of 250 man-hours a week allowed personnel to focus on higher-value tasks, enhancing squadron readiness and efficiency.
• Increased accuracy and efficiency. Enhanced tracking and data management systems significantly improved inventory accuracy and operational decision-making.
• Operational impact. The savings in man-hours contributed to a more agile and responsive logistics operation, directly supporting the squadron's mission capabilities.

According to the Air Force, deployment of the SEE ID system yielded “transformative” outcomes that dramatically improved efficiency, command visibility, and increased safety and security of MUNS logistics actions. An advanced software dashboard and logging feature was introduced to enhance operation of the TICMS. 

While the focus of the research project was on MUNS operations, the Air Force says the system can be applied to several other areas, including the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), a network of computers that coordinates data from multiple radar sites; security forces, civil engineering and medical operations. 

As a result of the successful testing and demonstration of the Phase II program at Nellis AFB, the Air Force is currently evaluating the system to assess its effectiveness for application across the service’s operations generally. A Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program application is currently in progress for that purpose. 

Resource Link:

SEE ID Inc.: https://www.seeidinc.com/