US Army, Lockheed Martin Demonstrate Next-Gen C2 Capabilities

Our Bureau - : Feb 27, 2026 - : 11:40 pm

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Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division (25ID) and the Capability Program Executive Command and Control Information Network (CPE C2IN), has completed a live-fire exercise to test its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype. The exercise, titled Lightning Surge 2, evaluated the system's ability to coordinate long-range sensing and strike capabilities across different military echelons.

The Lockheed Martin team, which includes partners Raft, Accelint, and Rune, integrated AI-driven data and mission applications with the Army's existing C2 Fix transport and compute layers. During the exercise, 25ID personnel used the prototype to establish sensor-to-shooter links, facilitating the real-time firing of HIMARS rockets and M777 howitzers.

The technical demonstration utilized Raft’s Data Platform to merge electronic warfare targeting data, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) video feeds, and battle damage assessments into digital fires systems. This integration allowed for continuous communication between sensors and weapon systems under live-fire conditions. Soldiers used voice commands through an AI mission system to automate specific tasks, combining high-definition video with live drone positioning to reduce the time required to clear airspace for kinetic strikes.

The demonstration further utilised Accelint’s Neo mission-command interface to provide 25ID commanders with a unified operational picture, incorporating live track data and UAS positions within a single interface designed for contested environments. As weapon systems were engaged, the integration of Rune’s TyrOS Platform automatically recorded ammunition levels to assist in logistics and sustainment forecasting. These results are part of an iterative development process where soldier feedback is continuously incorporated into the NGC2 architecture, allowing the system to scale and add new functions based on shifting mission requirements.

"Our team’s participation in the U.S. Army’s NGC2 initiative and Lightning Surge events shows what we can achieve when the Army, 25th Infantry Division, Lockheed Martin, and best-of-breed industry partners work together,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of multi-domain combat systems at Lockheed Martin. "We have a dynamic team based on the demands and priorities of the unit to stay agile, iterate rapidly, and bring warfighter‑centric capabilities to the battlefield faster than ever before.”

The next phase of testing, Lightning Surge 3, is scheduled for April 2026. This upcoming exercise will focus on airspace mission threads in support of the 25th Infantry Division.

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