featured project Archive

Optimizing Seabasing Logistics

Since 2004, LMI has worked with the Joint Staff and Navy to explore ways to improve Seabasing, the movement of traditionally land-based functions to ships at least 25 miles from shore. Seabasing accelerates the deployment and re-supply of troops and increases the Navy’s and other joint force’s operational flexibility. As the Joint Force Commander engages in major combat operations, performs counter-intelligence, and provides humanitarian assistance, the sea base will operate independently of vulnerable in-theater ports, save troops from relying on land bases thousands of miles away, and improve force protection by keeping materiel away from the shore and out of harm’s way.

LMI is now independently analyzing logistics operations of the sea base, including the days-of-supply (DOS) requirement, supply ship shuttle options, and broad requirements for the advanced base. The study, which is scheduled for completion in January 2008, is sponsored by the Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies, a foundation working with California State University, and its sponsor the Office of Naval Research. Seabasing is a joint concept, so the Navy’s Strategic Sealift Programs Division, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) are also participating in this study, as are the Defense Logistics Agency and U.S. Transportation Command.

Our study employs several modeling tools—JFAST, EXTEND, and others—to analyze and add fidelity to critical warfighter effectiveness requirements, such as DOS and employment options for the USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) class, the newest class of auxiliary dry cargo and ammunition ship. LMI will also begin a macro-level look at advanced base requirements to support sea base operations, optimize throughput, and reduce the footprint of joint forces operating ashore.