Joint Flow and Analysis System for Transportation

The Joint Flow and Analysis System for Transportation (JFAST) is used to determine transportation requirements, perform course-of-action analysis, and project delivery profiles of troops and equipment by air, land, and sea. It is a multi-modal transportation analysis model designed for and fielded with the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and the Joint Planning Community. First used by DOD in Desert Shield/Storm, it analyzes airlift/sealift transportation requirements for deploying U.S. forces, tracks ships, provides delivery forecasts, and analyzes what-if scenarios (canal closings, maintenance delays, etc.). Concepts of operations and military operations estimates are provided on JFAST estimates.

JFAST models sea, air, and surface moves from origin to final destination. A client-server application, it is designed to run on one or more Windows 2000, NT, or XP workstations. Understanding the output from the scheduling models is enhanced due to significant use of maps, animations, and other graphic displays by the graphical user interface. JFAST uses OLE automation and Microsoft Office to assist in nearly instantaneous preparation of briefing materials. It can model exclusion areas, transload operations, and calculate fuel requirements used by its air and sea fleets. JFAST can also export both movement and requirements data to other external systems, such as GCCS-RDA, E-LIST, DART, and AMP.

JFAST Exercise Application

DPRA is developing a JFAST Exercise Application that creates an "exercise" training environment for USTRANSCOM and the other Unified Commands. The application accesses JFAST air and sea schedules and manifests to generate output sent to various USTRANSCOM computer systems. The GTN Exercise System (GES) is currently used for this function but can only support one full-up exercise for each Unified Command per year. It requires all the USTRANSCOM feeder systems also play in each exercise to create required data. The JFAST Exercise Application provides a cost effective alternative, allowing the Unified Commands to effectively train their staffs. It has successfully been used in several exercises and proven its value to exercise planners.