NORMAN, Okla. (OBV) – The University of Oklahoma received a nearly $4 million congressional appropriations grant to research supply chain risk management.
The 448th Supply Chain Management Wing of the U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center awarded OU researchers the grant.
The Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute and Data Institute for Societal Challenges will coordinate the project, which will develop advanced data analytics tools to improve the U.S. Department of Defense’s supply chain capabilities.
“Enhancing resilience is essential for executing the Air Force’s supply chain mission,” said Gen (ret.) Robin Rand, executive director of OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute. “The 448th’s mission involves complex planning and execution for everything from supplying spare parts for aircraft, engines and intercontinental ballistic missiles to providing a wide range of support equipment, programmed depot maintenance and commodity and equipment repair. This project will bolster the Air Force’s situational awareness of the supply chain and its intricate network of supplier relationships.”
OU researchers will use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance defense-related supply chain resilience – techniques critical to real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and risk mitigation strategies that ensure the timely delivery of critical resources to support military operations, according to OU officials.
“Our team will provide prototype products to enhance the Air Force’s visibility of supply chain operations,” said Charles Nicholson, director of the OU Data Science and Analytics Institute and principal investigator for this project. “These efforts will develop a foundation for advancing visualization and analytics in various areas within the supply chain system and provide users flexibility to best meet ever-changing environments.”
The prototypes are designed to improve monitoring of supplier connections, critical minerals and other predictive analytic materials. They can optimize logistics operations, identify vulnerabilities and quickly adapt to dynamic threats, enhancing the defense supply chain’s resilience and effectiveness.
The Department of Defense faced the risk of sourcing resources from potential adversaries as its supply chain became more global, according to a 2022 DoD report. The pandemic revealed that minor disruptions in defense supply chains can cause massive bottlenecks due to limited supply sources.
“Creating greater supply chain visibility will enable the DoD to better share supply chain risk indicators across the government,” said David Ebert, director of OU’s Data Institute of Societal Challenges, project co-principal investigator and Gallogly Chair of Engineering. “Furthermore, it will provide hands-on, real-world experience for students to work on research and development issues of importance to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Department of Defense.”
Steve Gray, director of the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, added, “The tools developed through this partnership will serve as valuable assets in navigating the complexities of supplier interactions, ultimately contributing to a more secure and robust supply chain for the U.S. Air Force.”
