Army Futures Command Invites Innovative Solutions for 4th Infantry Division
On August 18, the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park (ACC-APG-RTP) Division officially announced an exciting opportunity for innovators and tech companies. They are calling for submissions of groundbreaking solutions, with the submission window open from August 18, 2025, to September 5, 2025.
The Army Futures Command seeks cutting-edge, readily deployable solutions intended for the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) operating out of Fort Carson, Colorado. Implementation is projected for early 2026, aiming to enhance military operations through extended experimentation alongside soldiers in active duty settings.
Areas of Focus and Integration
The desired solutions should align with at least one of the eight capability-focused areas specified in Section C of the call. Additionally, they must be compatible with the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) prototype ecosystem. This system, currently under development by the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO-C3N), will engage in an 18-month integration phase with 4ID.
The open call capitalizes on flexible acquisition authorities, enhancing the potential for rapid prototyping and iterative advancements. It also paves potential pathways for future acquisition. The initiative warmly welcomes participation from diverse sectors and business scales, emphasizing contributions from small enterprises and non-traditional defense contractors.
The Army is particularly interested in technology ready for insertion early in 2026. These solutions should be suitable for long-term experimentation, capable of enhancing operational effectiveness in the Air-Ground Littoral. Participants must demonstrate their technology’s ability to not only operate effectively from ground level to several thousand feet above but also to interface seamlessly with the NGC2 data layer/technology stack.
Understanding the Air-Ground Littoral
The Air-Ground Littoral represents a dynamically evolving domain marked by the integration of low-cost, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). These systems come with enhanced autonomy, diverse payloads, and operational missions, presenting both significant offensive capabilities and defensive challenges.
Innovative solutions should address strategic challenges related to movement, mission command, intelligence extraction, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and overall operational support within this space. These multifaceted challenges require adept handling to maintain situational awareness and ensure freedom of maneuver. Additional details on these focus areas are available in Section C of the official open call document.
Modernizing Command and Control: NGC2 Overview
NGC2, an ambitious U.S. Army initiative, strives to modernize command and control systems, enhancing commanders’ decision-making capabilities. Through modular, open architecture software developments, it connects digital assets, remote sensors, command posts, vehicles, and soldiers with seamless, real-time information flow.
PEO C3N has commenced the NGC2 prototyping phase, collaborating closely with 4ID. Integral features of NGC2 include effortless integration with existing commercial technologies. By leveraging modern software approaches, continuous integration, and continuous delivery pipelines, NGC2 is poised to transform military command systems.
NGC2’s cutting-edge technology also employs an array of advanced methodologies such as application programming interfaces (APIs), software development kits (SDK), modular open systems architecture (MOSA), and natural language processing (NLP). These technologies promise to revolutionize command and control within the contemporary Army landscape.
The Army Futures Command’s open call offers a unique opportunity for innovators and tech developers to contribute to the ever-evolving defense landscape. Through collaborative efforts, forward-thinking solutions can potentially transform military capabilities and operational efficiency, ensuring the U.S. Army remains at the forefront of technological advancement in defense.
