RTX Raytheon to improve US DoD supply chain resilience.

RTX (Raytheon) has been selected for an $8 million DARPA contract to enhance the Department of Defense's supply chain resilience. The project, led by RTX's Raytheon BBN Technologies unit, involves creating a robust modeling and simulation tool under the Resilient Supply-and-Demand Networks (RSDN) initiative.
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DARPA's evaluation of the simulator will involve comparing its predictions to historical scenarios and seeking expert opinions on the plausibility of its outcomes (Picture source: RTX)

This tool, a first-of-its-kind global supply chain stress test framework, will leverage historical data and behavioral surveys to predict and mitigate shocks in supply-demand networks. John Santini of Raytheon BBN, the project's principal investigator, underscored the vulnerability of these networks to unforeseen strategic challenges due to their complex and dynamic nature. The focus on cost, timeliness, and efficiency often leads to a neglect of resilience in decision-making processes.

The simulation tool will use data on the supply of pharmaceuticals, military metals, and military food to conduct simulations in realistic scenarios. It will combine state-of-the-art economic macro-models with microeconomic and process models previously developed by Raytheon BBN, thus enabling an analysis of individual decisions and supply chain operations. Additionally, the tool will harness recent advancements in artificial intelligence and dynamical systems analysis to uncover and address previously unconsidered stressors.

DARPA's evaluation of the simulator will involve comparing its predictions to historical scenarios and seeking expert opinions on the plausibility of its outcomes. The project includes collaboration with The Ohio State University, Clarkson University, and the University of Southern California, and work will be completed across various locations including Cambridge, Massachusetts; Middletown, Rhode Island; Rosslyn, Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; Potsdam, New York; and Los Angeles, California.

Founded in 1948, Raytheon BBN provides advanced technology research and development with a focus on national security priorities. From the ARPANET to the first email, through the first metro network protected by quantum cryptography, Raytheon BBN consistently transitions advanced research to produce innovative solutions for its customers. Raytheon BBN takes risks and challenges conventions to create solutions in analytics and machine intelligence, networks and sensors, intelligent software and systems, and physical sciences.

Defense News December 2023