Upcoming Army Field Test for Advanced Command and Control Prototype
The Army is set to initiate the second field trial of its next-generation command and control (C2) prototype, commencing on Monday at Fort Carson, Colorado. This follows a recent contract award to Anduril to develop the system, granted merely three months prior.
Ivy Sting 2: Objectives and Testing
The 4th Infantry Division will lead this phase, termed Ivy Sting 2, where soldiers will assess the prototype’s capability to efficiently deconflict airspace prior to weapon deployment.
“Our goal is to enhance commanders’ ability to update their plans and, most critically, to implement those plans swiftly,” stated Zach Kramer, the head of Anduril’s mission command office.
The Army is also focused on significantly reducing the developmental timeline for this and future systems.
“We are not waiting for a flawless product before deployment. Instead, our strategy emphasizes an iterative approach to software development,” Kramer added.
Foundation of the System
Although Anduril officially secured its contract in July, alongside Palantir, the company has been involved in the Networked Ground Command and Control (NGC2) initiative for an extended period. Its network software, Lattice Mesh, was previously integrated during the experimentation phase of Project Convergence – Capstone 5.
The initial Ivy Sting event conducted in late September evaluated fundamental functionalities such as commander updates and planning capabilities.
“We’re leveraging commercial technologies from our partners. Proven technologies are now being integrated, configured, and fine-tuned to establish effective data governance,” said Kramer.
Collaboration with Key Technology Partners
Current collaboration includes strategic integration with Govini for logistics awareness and Strive Works for artificial intelligence capabilities. The overarching aim is to establish a continually updatable system that can incorporate emerging technologies from private sector innovators.
“We intend to onboard various partners, ensuring a diverse selection of technologies appropriately fits the problem at hand, acknowledging that optimal solutions may evolve over time,” emphasized Kramer.
Future Developments and Iterative Testing
The prototype contract spans the next 11 months, post which a new award will facilitate the subsequent phases of NGC2 development. Kramer noted the effort to cultivate a repeatable process that promotes innovation over extended periods.
Historically, the Army has constructed systems in a monolithic manner, securing various vendors upfront, only to start anew with obsolescence. In contrast, NGC2 mirrors the Army’s Transformation-in-Contact program, where existing technologies are fielded, and soldier feedback is swiftly incorporated back into iterative updates.
“Our aim is to structure Ivy Sting events similar to a traditional software sprint, facilitating planning, development, field testing, and feedback integration,” stated Kramer.
Addressing Security Concerns and Enhancing Communication
Recent scrutiny arose regarding software security protocols, highlighted by a leaked Army memo criticizing the prototype. Both Anduril and the Army clarified that initial concerns had been addressed satisfactorily. Anduril’s founder, Palmer Luckey, asserted that the memo’s leak appeared driven by ulterior motives.
Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal articulated a commitment to resolving issues more transparently moving forward, advocating for real-time discussions over formal memo documentation.
“Moving forward, we must prioritize direct engagements to address our concerns, rather than resorting to memos,” remarking the necessity for more dynamic communication within the Army’s business procedures.
A New Paradigm for System Development
Anduril positions itself as a pivotal player not just in creating the next command and control system but in establishing a new developmental framework for the Army.
“We believe that fostering a process that embraces ongoing innovation may be the most significant contribution beyond modernization efforts,” concluded Kramer.
This strategic endeavor aims to fortify the Army’s adaptability and technological edge in an ever-evolving battlefield landscape.
