Analysis and Evaluation of the Department of Defense's Shift from Motor Carrier to Rail Movements of Ammunition Within the Continental United States

摘要

The Department of Defense relied heavily on commercial transportation for both unit deployment and ammunition sustainment during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Nearly 70 percent of all ammunition was carried by commercial truck companies. The Mobility Requirements Study (MRS) and Mobility Requirements Study Bottom Up Review Update (MRS BURU) identified transportation requirements for mobilization in response to a Major Regional Contingency (MRC). There are many issues and concerns within both industry and DoD that can be identified as factors affecting readiness, such as declining numbers and sizes of railcars and insufficient Container Handling Equipment at ammunition depots. These factors and others risk DoD's ability to deploy ammunition rapidly in response to contingencies and conduct efficient day-to-day operations. Many of these factors stem from the way DoD does business, the changing industry environment, and inconsistent peacetime versus wartime operational requirements. This thesis analyzes factors affecting modal combination decisions as well as the current and future viability for transporting DoD's arms, ammunition, and explosives.