Dec. 13, 2010—The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is rapidly expanding its use of radio frequency identification technologies to better manage its supply chain, and a growing number of companies that supply goods and equipment to the U.S. military are being asked to tag goods before shipping them to the agency. These suppliers, as well as businesses focused on supply chain security, have been exploring active and passive RFID technologies to improve supply chain visibility (see Targeted Attack).

RFID in Defense 2010, RFID Journal's first conference and exhibition devoted to the defense industry, demonstrated how the DOD employs RFID, how it benefits from using the technology, how suppliers are affected by having to tag merchandise, and how all types of RFID technologies—active, Wi-Fi, passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF), passive high-frequency (HF) and more—can be used to improve operations in the defense sector. The event was held on Nov. 30, 2010, at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City-National Airport, located in Arlington, Va.



Approximately 130 professionals attended this premiere conference, at which presenters explored the ways in which suppliers can benefit from utilizing RFID solutions internally in order to lower costs, improve shipping accuracy and expedite payments. Like all RFID Journal events, RFID in Defense featured leading end users objectively explaining how they employ radio frequency identification to enhance efficiencies and streamline business processes.

Numerous RFID vendors—including Motorola, RFID Global Solution, BA Systems and ODIN Technologies (see ODIN Announced as Cornerstone Sponsor of RFID Journal's First 'RFID in Defense' Event)—displayed their latest technology products at the event, and offered live technology demonstrations on the exhibition floor.