DLA Research & Development's Subsistence Network program is an industrial preparedness manufacturing technology program that promotes manufacturing and logistics improvements in the subsistence supply chain. The SUBNET program focuses on leveraging the latest technologies, encouraging innovation and modernization in subsistence. The goals of SUBNET projects include reducing costs, enhancing quality, increasing efficiencies, and improving surge demand capabilities. The SUBNET Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)-0004-21 focus areas are:
Field Feeding Solutions Combat Rations Food Safety & Defense Nutrition & Health Food Equipment
Food Footprint Garrison Feeding Storage Packaging Solutions Food Innovations Surge & Sustainment Support
Innovation & Technology
- Identification of solutions that improve current field feeding procedures and operations
- Development of initiatives that reduce food waste, reduce size, optimize storage capacity, and reduce cost by capitalizing on circular economy concepts
Strategic Thrusts
- Deployable Unitized Group Rations (DUGR) Platform
- Improving Subsistence Visibility Barcoding Enhancement
- Zero Waste Deployable System for the Military
- Automation through Robotics in Dining Facilities
Program Challenge
The Subsistence Network (SUBNET) Program must stay abreast of current and emerging food trends, technological advancements, and innovations to remain viable and relevant for the Warfighters of the future. SUBNET efforts include researching, developing, testing, and evaluating technologies; and transitioning beneficial and novel technologies and processes into the subsistence supply chain.
Benefits
- Transform and modernize subsistence capabilities to sustain warfighter readiness and lethality
- Improve technology and innovate processes to sustain the DOD industrial base
- Leverage emerging technologies in order to remain competitive and better serve our customers long term
Partners
- DLA Troop Support Subsistence
- Military Services
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Federal Drug Administration
- Meals Ready to Eat Assemblers
- Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel
- Academia
Accomplishments & Ongoing Efforts
- Improving Subsistence Visibility through Labeling and Barcoding
- Biodegradable Cellulosic Bio-Polymer to replace plastics for Military Food Packaging and Food Service
- Heating, Hydrating Combat Rations (HHYCOR) to heat and purify water for Meal Cold Weather rations
- Robotic Automation of Food Preparation
- Deployable Group Ration (DGR) Kitting Platform for Unitized Group Ration (UGR)
- Separation, Composting, Recycling and Repurposing System for Food Waste
- Flake Graphite-based Solutions for PFAS Contamination
- Investigation of Performance Metrics for Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Sustainable Packaging Options