Key facts
- The US Army is developing a new command and control system called Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2).
- NGC2 features mobile and dispersed command posts to increase survivability.
- The system aims to hide command centers within digital noise to evade detection by adversaries.
- A recent division-level drill at Fort Carson tested NGC2 in a realistic combat scenario.
- Anduril Industries is the prime contractor for the 4th ID's command system under a $100 million contract.
The US Army is overhauling its command and control systems to better prepare for future warfare, which is expected to be fast-paced and chaotic. The new Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system is designed to address the vulnerability of traditional, static command posts, which have proven to be targets for advanced adversaries like Russia and China, as evidenced by strikes on Russian command posts in Ukraine. NGC2 employs a strategy of mobility and dispersion, with command posts set up in camouflage tents spread across miles. These posts are housed in vehicles, allowing for rapid setup and teardown, reportedly taking around 30 minutes. This mobility, combined with communication architectures that allow soldiers to remain connected even when dispersed, aims to make the command posts more survivable. The system is designed to blend into the electromagnetic spectrum 'noise,' making it difficult for enemies to detect and target specific transmissions. Soldiers are trained to adjust their electronic signatures based on anticipated enemy monitoring capabilities, with built-in redundancy to ensure continued functionality even if a post is compromised. A recent division-level drill at Fort Carson, Colorado, tested NGC2 in a complex scenario involving electronic warfare, cyber systems, and space-based effects. Anduril Industries is the prime contractor for the 4th Infantry Division's command system, working under a $100 million contract.