US Army's AI-driven command system takes shape with $26M Lockheed Martin deal
The US Army is advancing its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system through a series of rapid development events called Lightning Surge. These exercises aim to refine a new data-sharing approach for commanders, blending agile software and AI-driven decision-making. The latest step involves a $26 million contract with Lockheed Martin to build an integrated data layer for the 25th Infantry Division.
The first Lightning Surge event established a working prototype of the NGC2 common data layer. It successfully tested edge-to-command feeds, proving the system could enhance real-time command and control. The Army then evaluated how this data layer allowed the division to securely share information across networks and platforms.
Lightning Surge 2, planned for February 2026, will expand capabilities by digitising fire missions—both kinetic and non-kinetic. The focus is on creating a seamless thread for executing fire commands while integrating AI tools for faster decisions. Lockheed Martin's solution already includes AI-powered voice and chat processing for spot reporting.
Future events will build on these foundations. Surge 3 will tackle airspace management, while Surge 4 shifts to logistics. Each iteration is designed to incrementally improve the system ahead of Project Convergence, the Army's major multi-domain experiment.
Lockheed Martin leads one of two competing NGC2 prototype efforts. Their team includes Raft, Accelint, and Rune as key partners. Meanwhile, Anduril heads a rival prototype for the 4th Infantry Division, working with Palantir, Govini, and Microsoft. Both groups are racing to deliver the most effective data-sharing solution for commanders.
The Army's push for NGC2 relies on secure, accessible data to power AI and speed up battlefield decisions. With Lightning Surge events rolling out new capabilities, the system is being tested and refined in stages. The $26 million contract marks a critical step toward modernising command and control for future operations.
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