Anduril Selected to Spearhead Next-Generation Command-and-Control System for U.S. Army
In a significant development, the U.S. Army has awarded Anduril Industries a substantial $99.6 million contract to develop a next-generation command-and-control (C2) prototype. This initiative will involve collaboration with major tech entities like Palantir among others. The service and the company confirmed that the project is slated for completion within a year.
The design of the prototype will feature an “integrated and scalable” command-and-control architecture that incorporates various technologies across hardware, software, and applications, all unified through a common data framework. This announcement was made by the Army on July 18.
Army’s Strategic Modernization Endeavor
The Army is prioritizing the overhaul of its command-and-control systems, branding this project as the Next-Generation C2, which is at the forefront of its modernization goals. The new capabilities will first be provided to the 4th Infantry Division, as stated by the service.
According to Anduril, the prototype will be integrated onto computing nodes installed on various mechanized vehicles across the Division immediately after the contract is awarded. The development will be an ongoing process, involving direct interaction and feedback from soldiers.
Historically, the Army’s C2 systems, which are crucial for planning, decision-making, and execution of missions, were developed sporadically over the past two decades during the Global War on Terror. This resulted in a fragmented system comprising 17 separate programs.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George has emphasized the critical need for an effective command-and-control system for future combat success, prompting the decision to revamp the Army’s C2 capabilities. This initiative aims to prevent operational disruptions while developing a completely new system from the ground up.
About 18 months prior, during the Project Convergence event at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, soldiers and industry partners, including Anduril, showcased a preliminary unclassified model of what the Next-Generation C2 system could look like. Subsequently, in April 2025, the Army established the NGC2 program office.
“NGC2 is more than just a capability; it represents a blueprint for future Army systems,” stated Gen. James Rainey, commander of Army Futures Command. He highlighted that the award reflects a transformative approach to industry collaboration based on shared goals, rapid execution, and trust. The focus is on co-development with industry partners and prioritizing soldiers in the design process to deliver what they need swiftly, integrating seamlessly, and ensuring readiness for combat.
Collaborative Development and Future Plans
Over the upcoming 11 months, Anduril will work alongside other industry partners such as Palantir, Striveworks, Govini, Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE), Research Innovations, Inc. (RII), and Microsoft. The collective aim is to forge a system that can swiftly integrate diverse technologies into a unified architecture, enhancing the compute, communication, and information processing capabilities available to soldiers, thereby facilitating quicker and more informed decision-making from the corps to company level.
Anduril’s Lattice Mesh technology is designed to enable machine-to-machine interfaces that significantly reduce the time required to deliver operational effects compared to traditional systems and networks. This technology is already being utilized in several initiatives, including the Defense Department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office Edge Data Mesh.
The NGC2 will link digital assets, remote sensors, command posts, and ground troops with real-time intelligence and systems, offering a solution that contrasts sharply with the current compartmentalized and classified systems.
While Anduril leads the development of NGC2, the Army plans to continue its competitive process, seeking additional vendors for prototyping other units such as the 25th Infantry Division and III Corps Headquarters later this fiscal year.
Brig. Gen. Shane Taylor, head of the Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N), emphasized the importance of timely and integrated data for commanders’ decision-making in future warfare. He stressed the need for industry to deliver their best to meet the urgent needs of the warfighters.
“NGC2 is not just a one-off project but represents a long-term commitment to continuous contracting and investment in technologies that will provide our forces with the necessary superiority,” he stated.
NOTE: This article has been updated to more accurately represent Anduril’s role in leading the industry team.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
