Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment skijour behind a Small Unit Support Vehicle as part of the U.S. Army Alaska Winter Games March 4, 2021, at the Black Rapids Training Site.
With political tensions mounting and everyone watching the Indo-Pacific, the Army must improve and innovate its methods of sustainment in the Arctic. Countries such as the People’s Republic of China and Russia are already investing and increasing their influence in the Arctic. Operations in this type of environment can be lethal when Soldiers cannot conduct sustainment operations properly. Dealing with 130-degree temperature fluctuations and complex terrain, Soldiers face conditions that naturally impede logistical support. To maintain dominance and extend the operational reach in the Arctic, the Army must ensure they have the most efficient methods of supply and equipment that adapt to the Arctic’s necessities. The Army must modify the Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs), increase the number of aerial deliveries, and use autonomous aerial vehicles.
Modifying CATVs
The Army must modify the vehicles they currently use in the Arctic and deploy ones that adapt to the terrain and extreme conditions. The vehicles the Army uses are too tall, heavy, and wide, which makes the transportation of supplies difficult in the Arctic environment where there are narrow mountainous icy roads. Forward support companies (FSCs) face challenges while moving supplies on the battlefield to line companies. Most of the time, they are limited and constricted to certain roads and areas because their vehicles are so large. Recently, the Army introduced the CATVs to the units in Alaska. These vehicles can transport up to nine Soldiers in extreme cold weather conditions through the types of terrain found in the Arctic. While these vehicles increase the mobility of infantry companies, they do not solve the issues faced by the FSCs, which have vehicles that are too big for the roads or are not meant for the Arctic terrain.
CATVs must be modified to support the FSCs’ missions, too, since they play essential roles on the battlefield. CATVs must have the option to incorporate trailers in which the FSCs can carry supplies to the line companies. These trailers can transport small fuel and water tanks to facilitate the movement of these supplies when the demand is low. CATVs modified in this way can transport resources to more remote areas and can enable the FSCs to avoid main routes where the enemy can easily target them. Producing the modified CATVs will cost money, and time will be needed to train Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the new vehicles.
Aerial Delivery
Aerial operations must increase in the Arctic to provide an alternate support capability when ground operations are no longer feasible and to limit Soldiers’ exposure to the hazardous environment. As stated in Army Techniques Publication 4-48, Aerial Delivery,
“Aerial delivery operations characteristics — speed, flexibility, range, responsiveness, and survivability — complement other Army movement assets. ... The aerial delivery mission includes ensuring the force has operational reach, freedom of action, and sustainability by enhancing transport capability and capacity.”
While aerial delivery might not always be feasible due to monetary restrictions or weather conditions, it would increase the operational reach that the Army has in Arctic conditions. Arctic terrain can be brutal and, in snowy conditions, can be lethal. This increases the risk to Soldiers when conducting such missions, especially if they must go to remote areas with big loads. Aerial delivery gives commanders the flexibility on how to conduct resupply when ground transportation is not feasible. It also permits the extensive distribution of supplies over long distances. In addition, it reduces the FSCs’ footprint and exposure on the battlefield, since adversaries target logistical resupply missions. Increasing aerial deliveries means investing more money in the aircraft and fuel. It also requires the time and energy to train more Soldiers in aerial delivery operations.
UAVs
The Army must use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can transport supplies to the Arctic. In 2016, the Marine Corps introduced two Kaman K-MAX helicopters. This helicopter’s primary mission was to provide cargo load operations with a maximum capacity of 6,000 pounds. These UAVs were used in Afghanistan for over three years and moved over 5 million pounds of cargo. With the introduction of this type of UAV, the Army would increase its ability to deliver supplies. Although this is a great resource, the Army needs to create its own model that adapts to the necessities of an Arctic environment, such as extreme cold weather conditions. A version that could be transported by ground would enable Soldiers to conduct aerial and ground operations simultaneously. Introducing this type of UAV would give the Army a higher logistical capability in an air-contested area. A new UAV model would require more money and time because it would have to be designed and fabricated. Time would also be needed for training Soldiers on the new UAV. Although it would come with a high cost, it would increase the operational reach that Soldiers have in the Arctic, enabling faster deliveries to remote locations.
Conclusion
When people think about sustainment in the Arctic, they must consider adaptability and non-conventional methods, because the standard ways and equipment might not work. The Army must adapt and be prepared to sustain and expand its operational reach in the Arctic. The battlefield is constantly changing, and there is no way to know where the next war will be fought. By investing in modifying CATVs, increasing aerial delivery, and using autonomous aerial vehicles, the Army would expand its operational reach and would be in a better to position to win future wars.
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1LT Julissa Irizarry Lugo is a student in the Logistics Captains Career Course at Army Sustainment University in Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. Her commissioning source was ROTC through the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus, where she acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She completed the Basic Officer Leader Course in 2021 and continued to a follow-up assignment in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. She is working toward getting a master’s degree in psychology.
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This article was published in the spring 2025 issue of Army Sustainment.
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