Modelling the Application of Autonomy in Physical Distribution Networks - The LogANTs case study

There are emergent technologies that can enable and improve autonomous platforms that provide delivery services in dangerous and contentious military contexts‥ It is expected that such platforms will be tasked by land-based forces to form physical distribution networks for future operations. How such platforms are to be configured and utilised is still under consideration. One such consideration is the role of modular systems that can self-assemble to meet the needs of a task at hand. Discrete event model designs can be used for evaluation in performance of various types of autonomous platforms, in particular, determining the feasibility of a modular autonomous system against that of a non-modular system. Insight into this area should aid future military logisticians in birthing a technology capable of providing a noticeable step up in performance within physical distribution networks.