A Multi-Agent Environment for Department of Defense Distribution

 
Laurence Glicoes        Richard Staats          Michael N. Huhns
LMI                     LMI                     MCC
2000 Corporate Rd       2000 Corporate  Road    3500 West Balcones Ctr Dr.
McLean, VA  22101       McLean, VA  22101       Austin, TX 78759

 Abstract

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) requires an
effective, economic method for utilizing available distribution
system to move its personnel, equipment and supplies in support of
military operations world wide.  Recent reductions in the DoD
budget have placed a premium on leveraging technologically
innovative solutions to accomplish this requirement.  This paper
examines the integration of cooperative autonomous computational
agent technology with low cost satellite communications
capability.  Under this concept, Intelligent Agents (IA) would be
developed and integrated into the spectrum of transportation
actions DoD wide.  The IA would be divided into two categories,
static (attached to intermodal sites) and mobile (attached to
shipments).  The IA act as economic competitors in routing the
shipments through the DoD transportation network.  The result
being effective and efficient transportation of goods and
personnel for both routine operations and unforeseen
contingencies.

 The global communication system offered by the satellites would
be used to track shipment status and continually update the shared
intermodal knowledge base.