U.S. Department of Defense seeks to improve disaster relief efforts using blockchain

Photo by Hitesh Choudhary on Unsplash

The U.S. Department of Defense sees immense potential in blockchain technology to improve disaster relief efforts.

Earlier this month, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support held a meeting, which was part of a two-day event exploring the potential applications of blockchain technology within Troop Support. The two-day was hosted by Troop Support’s Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) office.

“We think there’s a lot of potential [in blockchain],” CPI management analyst Elijah Londo said. “Where do we want to be as an organization in shaping and influencing where the [Department of Defense] goes with blockchain?”

In the existing setup, processes are tracked through centrally managed systems and databases. Such systems do not ensure complete visibility and require stakeholders to synchronize data to make sure they are all tracking accurate, up-to-date information.

However, in a blockchain-based system, changes would be immediately viewable by all peers, which would help enhance transparency and auditability of agency transactions, the department said. Construction and Equipment deputy director Marko Graham discussed the potential of the technology in transaction processing and in-transit visibility of shipments saying

“This is where I can see where blockchain would have been a big help. Flowing [material specifications and tracking data] from the manufacturer buying the raw materials to…getting the transportation and getting it on the barges.”

According to the official release, the CPI is currently looking into the ways to tap blockchain potential through its evaluation and coordination with government and industry partners, including the U.S. Transportation Command and shipping giant Maersk.

“We’re researching the technology,” Londo said. “[We’re] getting as smart as we can about what it is, what industry is saying about it, what the future might look like, how it applies to supply chains and how other industries are using it. We’re doing our due diligence.”