The U.S. Army’s Strategic Shift in Experimentation
Amidst evolving military landscapes and the pressing need for integrated warfare capabilities, the U.S. Army is reimagining its approach to experimentation. This rerouting, championed by Lt. Gen. David Hodne, the director of the Army’s Futures and Concepts Center, marks a pivotal shift from isolated testing of individual warfighting functions to a more cohesive and concept-driven methodology. Scheduled for fiscal year 2026, this revamped strategy promises to harmonize various aspects of military operations, setting a new standard for how the Army prepares for future conflicts.
The Future of Project Convergence
One of the most significant elements of this shift is Project Convergence, the Army’s flagship experimentation event. Scheduled for the summer of 2026, Project Convergence will not only continue but will also serve as a capstone event that culminates a series of comprehensive, integrated experimentation exercises. These preliminary exercises will be crucial in exploring new ways the Army can approach warfare, fostering real-time learning and adaptation ahead of the main event. This strategic emphasis on integration is essential in preparing for future combat scenarios, where multifaceted operations are becoming the norm.
A New Structure for Experimentation Events
Traditionally, the Army’s experimentation exercises were compartmentalized within specific Centers of Excellence, focusing on siloed warfighting functions. For example, endeavors like the Maneuver Fires Integrated Experiment (MFIX) at Fort Sill and various intelligence-focused Vanguard exercises have defined past efforts. Acknowledging the need for a more holistic view, Hodne stated, “We’ve reorganized how we’re going to do those experiments.” This reorganization facilitates a collective learning environment that integrates various military functions, enabling more tactical and strategic synergy.
Upcoming Experimentation Initiatives
Looking ahead, the Army’s roadmap outlines several innovative experimentation initiatives leading up to Project Convergence. Beginning with an annual Title 10 war game in November 2025, the Army will explore command-and-control (C2) capabilities. Scheduled for early spring, this event will test a spectrum of C2 and counter-C2 tactics, assessing their efficacy from the theater to brigade levels.
Following this, a cross-domain fires experiment will occur at Fort Sill, incorporating all types of firepower, including rockets and cannons, within both live and simulated environments. The experiments will culminate in an expanded maneuver exercise at Fort Benning, Georgia, focusing on integrating wielding effects like autonomous systems and human-machine formations. Such realistic simulations are designed to prepare soldiers and technology for the complexities of modern warfare.
Fostering Integration and Innovation in Technology
As the Army pivots to this integrated model, it also opens avenues for collaboration with industry partners. Brig. Gen. Zachary Miller, commander of the Army Joint Modernization Command, emphasized how the more focused design of these experimentation endeavors provides a coherent framework for industry engagement. More targeted calls for proposals from industry players will streamline the collaboration process, allowing partners to align their offerings with the Army’s evolving needs.
This enhanced clarity of purpose not only facilitates better cooperation between the Army and industry but also positions the Army to effectively assess the capabilities that can significantly impact future operations. Miller expressed confidence that the events following Project Convergence will help refine and calibrate the Army’s operational needs, ensuring that they meet the demands of modern warfare more effectively.
Conclusion—The Army’s Path Forward
The U.S. Army’s approach to experimentation is undergoing a transformative overhaul aimed at fostering integration among various warfighting functions. By embedding itself within a collaborative framework and focusing on concept-driven experimentation, the Army looks poised to enhance its operational readiness in an ever-evolving combat environment. As these changes unfold, the emphasis on synergy between traditional military assets and advanced technologies becomes increasingly critical, highlighting a future where adaptive warfare strategies will take precedence.
This commitment to modernization is not just a transformation for the Army; it reflects a broader narrative of military innovation in the 21st century, reshaping how battles will be fought in the imminent future.
