US Army Awards Anduril $100M Contract to Build Next-Gen C2 System
US Army Awards Anduril $100M Contract to Build Next-Gen C2 System
Published:
July 22, 2025
/
Updated:
July 22, 2025
Defense Budgets / Policy
Priya Shah
U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Janean Carr
The U.S. Army has chosen Anduril Industries to head up a tech team that’s building the next-gen command-and-control system. Officials confirmed the Army awarded a $99.6 million Other Transaction Authority agreement on July 18. The effort is centered on the 4th Infantry Division. The deal covers the integration, testing, and refining of hardware, software, and soldier-facing apps. The goal is to deliver in less than 12 months, signaling a push for faster rollout of digital tools.
This prototype will connect sensors, comms, and computing systems through a shared data layer. It’s designed to provide integrated, scalable C2 functions on mechanized platforms. That includes live mapping, fusing sensor data, and sending automated alerts. Initial software stacks will be loaded onto armored vehicles, letting units train and run limited ops with the system. Updates will be streamed as the code matures. Open interfaces are being used to keep future upgrades and vendor changes easier.
Work will begin this month at Fort Carson, the 4th Infantry Division’s home base. Anduril teams will install compute nodes on Bradleys and Strykers. Soldiers will run the prototype in field exercises that mimic combat conditions. Feedback loops are planned each quarter to guide development. Both the hardware and software will be tweaked based on what the soldiers report.
The Army’s current C2 tools came out of two decades of stove-piped programs. Right now, 17 different systems handle planning, ops, logistics, and intel-but they don’t always talk to each other under stress. Gen. Randy George recognized that risk and called for a fresh, clean-sheet design. He said soldiers need a system that connects everything from start to finish. The NGC2 program is now one of the Army’s top modernization priorities.
About a year and a half ago, soldiers at Fort Irwin worked with industry on an unclassified proof-of-concept as part of Project Convergence. They managed to link drones, radar, and command posts in near real-time. That test showed how smooth data flow could speed up decisions. In April 2025, the Army launched a formal NGC2 program office. According to industry sources, the new office is making funding and tech decisions a lot faster.
Gen. James Rainey, who leads Army Futures Command, said NGC2 is a model for how future systems should be built. He sees this as a new kind of partnership with industry. “We co-develop with soldiers at the center of design,” he said. Speed and trust, he added, are the two keys. His team will work side-by-side with Anduril and others to get capabilities fielded faster and in a more unified way than before.
Anduril leads a core group including:
Palantir for analytics and maps
Striveworks for software integration
Govini handling data management and insights
ICE (Instant Connect Enterprise) for secure comms
RII (Research Innovations Inc.) for testing integration
Microsoft providing cloud and edge services
Soldiers will be able to access sensors, apps, and networks all from a single interface. That gives units shared computing, comms, and intel in one place. It cuts down on the need to jump between systems. For instance, a platoon leader could view drone footage and supply status on the same screen.
At the heart of NGC2 is Anduril’s Lattice Mesh platform. It supports machine-to-machine comms and edge processing. The mesh can flex as units shift around or terrain changes. It also cuts down delays compared to older networks. Editors at Defense-Aerospace add that Lattice Mesh already powers other DoD edge data projects, including one from the Chief Digital and AI Office.
The Army plans more OTA awards later this fiscal year. Future prototypes will be tested with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and III Corps HQ at Fort Hood. It’s a playbook similar to earlier digital initiatives in other branches.
Brig. Gen. Shane Taylor, who heads PEO C3N, said fast, integrated data is essential for the wars of tomorrow. He emphasized open architecture so systems can evolve quickly. “This isn’t a one-and-done contract,” he said. “It’s a long-haul effort, with rolling investments and deals.” He wants industry to stay agile and keep the ideas coming as battlefield needs shift.
Roughly $3 billion in FY2026 will support NGC2 development and procurement, pulled from realigned Army budgets. The system will be evaluated on metrics like uptime, latency, and resilience. Performance data from exercises will feed directly into rapid updates.
NGC2 will be measured by clear benchmarks-like uptime, latency, and resilience. The program team will track performance during drills and stress tests, then feed that data to the devs under tight timelines. The aim is to fix issues quickly and keep the system improving.
Using OTA agreements cuts through a lot of red tape and brings in companies that might’ve stayed out under traditional contracts. These deals allow the Army to move faster and tap into nontraditional tech talent. Industry insiders say OTAs can shrink the acquisition cycle by months.
Day-to-day NGC2 development will be managed by PEO C3N. Taylor’s team works closely with Army Futures Command and combat units. They coordinate roadmaps, funding, and user testing. The staff includes coders, integration pros, and data architects. PEO C3N will also oversee future contracts as NGC2 spreads across divisions and corps.
REFERENCE SOURCES
https://www.army.mil/article/287180/army_announces_next_generation_command_and_control_ngc2_prototype_award
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/army-awards-team-anduril-nearly-100m-to-lead-ngc2-prototype-for-4th-infantry-division/
https://www.anduril.com/article/anduril-awarded-usd99-6m-for-u-s-army-next-generation-command-and-control-prototype/
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/07/21/anduril-us-army-ngc2-prototype/
https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/DoD-C3-Strategy.pdf
https://www.anduril.com/article/cdao-awards-anduril-production-agreement-to-deliver-edge-data-mesh/
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/07/21/anduril-wins-100m-deal-to-build-us-armys-next-gen-c2-ecosystem/
https://insidedefense.com/insider/army-hands-anduril-100-million-ota-ngc2-prototype
https://insidedefense.com/insider/cdao-awards-anduril-100m-scale-lattice-powered-edge-data-mesh
The post US Army Awards Anduril $100M Contract to Build Next-Gen C2 System appeared first on defense-aerospace.
The U.S. Army has chosen Anduril Industries to head up a tech team that’s building the next-gen command-and-control system. Officials confirmed the Army awarded a $99.6 million Other Transaction Authority agreement on July 18. The effort is centered on the 4th Infantry Division. The deal covers the integration, testing, and refining of hardware, software, and soldier-facing apps. The goal is to deliver in less than 12 months, signaling a push for faster rollout of digital tools.
The post US Army Awards Anduril $100M Contract to Build Next-Gen C2 System appeared first on defense-aerospace.
