Lockheed Martin is making a single digital stream for the US Army so that commanders can see everything at once

 

What is the integrated data layer?

Lockheed Martin has received an order to create a prototype of the so—called "integrated data layer" - in fact, a single digital network for army units. The work is carried out within the framework of the OTA (Other Transaction Authority), a mechanism that allows the army to cooperate more quickly with innovative companies, including those who have not worked with the Ministry of Defense before.

The goal is simple but ambitious: to erase the barriers between different systems. So that data from drones, radars, sensors on armor, and even soldiers' tablets can be collected in one place, in the same format, and in real time.

Why does the 25th Infantry Division need a new system

The pilot unit will be the 25th Infantry Division, one of the most mobile and ready for rapid deployment. It is she who will test the new system in real conditions. Currently, commanders receive information from various sources, often with a delay and in incompatible formats. It's like putting together a puzzle when some of the pieces are in another room.

The new level of data should give them a unified picture: where their friends are, where the enemy is, where the threat is, where it's better to move — all on one screen, without unnecessary requests and expectations.

How commercial technology gets into the military

The special feature of the project is the team. Lockheed Martin has attracted not only its in—house contractors, but also "unconventional innovators" - startups, IT companies, and developers from the civilian sector. Their technologies — in the field of data processing, cloud platforms, interfaces — are already working in business, and they are being adapted to the needs of the army.

This approach speeds up development and reduces cost. Instead of inventing everything from scratch, they take the finished product and refine it to the front.

NGC2 is not just an update, but a leap into the future

NGC2 (Next Generation Command and Control) is not another version of the old system. This is an attempt to rebuild the very principle of management. Instead of a hierarchy with a bunch of intermediate links, it's a network where information flows freely and decisions are made faster.

If it works, it will change not only tactics, but also the very logic of combat. The army will become faster, more flexible, more resistant to losses. And the commanders will not just get more data, but will begin to understand the battlefield on a different level.

Sources

1. TAdviser — NGC2 program details and development goals
2. VerumReactor — Lockheed Martin kicks off work and 2025 prototype completion plans

The US Space Force is creating Delta 85 to enhance combat control and reconnaissance in space

The US Space Force is forming a new division, Delta 85, the third as part of the expansion of the so—called Delta system. This unit will specialize in providing mission-critical capabilities in the mission area, including combat management, command and control (C2), communications, and space exploration. Its creation marks the next stage of a large-scale reorganization and modernization of forces aimed at increasing operational stability and speed of response in the face of growing threats in near-Earth space. In 2025, it is planned to activate five more similar units, which will significantly strengthen the overall network of data collection and management of space operations. The Delta system has already proven its effectiveness in integrating information flows and ensuring the security of satellite systems, and the new divisions will allow even more precise coordination of actions, faster detection of threats and prompt decision-making. Special attention is being paid to electronic warfare: as part of these changes, the new Meadowlands satellite communications suppression system is expected to be transferred to the Space Delta 3 division, designed to protect its own devices and counter the reconnaissance satellites of potential rivals. Thus, the development of the Delta system is becoming a key element of the US strategy to maintain technological and operational advantages in space.