Lockheed Martin’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype supported live-fire operations during the U.S. Army’s Lightning Surge 2 exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in February 2026. Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division (25ID), collaborating with the Capability Program Executive Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, assessed real-time sensor-to-shooter connections, firing HIMARS rockets and M777 howitzers across echelons.
The prototype integrates AI-powered data and mission applications from Lockheed Martin, Raft, Accelint, and Rune with the Army’s C2 Fix transport and compute layers. Raft’s Data Platform formed the foundational data layer, fusing electronic warfare targeting, drone video feeds, and battle damage assessments into digital fires systems. This enabled seamless communication between sensors, shooters, and assessments under live-fire conditions.
25ID warfighters issued voice commands via Raft’s AI Mission System to automate tasks, incorporating high-definition video and live drone locations. The system reduced time from target identification to airspace clearance for fires. Accelint’s Neo interface provided a unified operational picture, while Rune’s TyrOS Platform tracked ammunition levels for logistics.
The 25ID, one of two Army divisions testing NGC2, incorporated soldier feedback into iterations. Lightning Surge 1 in January demonstrated initial data fusion from drones and sensors. Lightning Surge 3, set for April 2026, will emphasize airspace mission threads with added scalable functionality.
“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.