To understand how Mississippi's poultry industry has advanced to become the state's top agricultural money maker, think of the hub system the airlines use, says Mark Leggett, Mississippi Poultry Association president.

Dr. Kimberly Cox Scherlofsky has been named transportation specialist and research scholar for The Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation.

The report, "Self-Driving Vehicles in Logistics," begins by explaining how automated, or robotic, vehicles work; their potential benefits; and the regulations and policies that influence their acceptance and adoption. The report then reviews current uses in military, consumer, automotive industry, and public transportation environments. Finally, it highlights four logistics applications: autonomous transport and assisted picking in warehouses; autonomous outdoor logistics, such as airport, yard, and marine terminal operations; assisted highway trucking and convoying; and "last mile" delivery.

A part from a diagnostic test set had failed, and a needed replacement part proved hard to find since one hadn't been manufactured since 2002. "We haven't had one of these parts fail in a very long time," said Pat Brannigan, Precision Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-201) product support manager. 

The agency started performing an in-house microcircuit anti-counterfeit initiative, dubbed DNA marking. The capability is designed to validate the authenticity of purchased microcircuits while increasing their reliability throughout the supply chain. The new quality control measures will be conducted at DLA's Electronics Product Test Center at DLA Land and Maritime. "Microcircuits are integrated in many of the weapon systems operated by our military services, so securing dependable suppliers is crucial to sustaining our elite mission-ready forces," said DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. John King.