Unified Network Transport

Mission — Integrated Tactical Network/Enterprise Network source

This funding supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems, Transport Layer. This line supports advanced component development activities that enable a converged Mission Command Network that operates seamlessly worldwide and in any environment. It includes the development of a standards-based network architecture that unifies enterprise and deployed network capabilities, and features a unified transport layer, network operations and other enabling functions that allows integration of disparate networks. The Army network will provide resiliency through path diversity and dynamic routing to ensure tactical units can communicate in hostile environments. It will provide multiple ways to communicate and give commanders the ability to have a network that delivers the right information and data at the right time during operations. It fully incorporates cyber and electronic warfare capabilities that support the employment of the network as a weapon system. FY 2026 funding will be used to inform design decisions for Army network modernization in the areas of resilient wideband satellite communications capabilities, non-traditional waveforms, narrowband waveforms, and implementation of Automated Primary Alternate Contingency and Emergency (PACE) communications through evaluation and technical maturation. Funds also support identification, maturation, demonstration, and evaluation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ systems and subsystem components including, but not limited to, resilient, alternate Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) capability in support of legacy high frequency waveforms. Funds also support development of Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) situational understanding, development of an intelligent and threat-informed network and operational integration and interoperability functions. Additionally, funds support development of a modular open standards systems compliant architecture. Successful solutions identified through evaluation in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment will be transitioned to Programs of Record for integration and fielding. Funds will also support integration with solutions identified in other Army network priorities to ensure network dependencies are addressed. Funds will support highly scalable and robust waveforms with simplified network management for operations in congested or contested environments.

Mission — Common Operating Environment (COE) source

This funding supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems, Applications Layer. This line supports advanced component development activities that will inform a modernized network by evaluating and maturing the use of cloud technologies, virtual augmentation, artificial intelligence, data convergence and analytics in the Common Operating Environment (COE). This includes processing and storage to improve the architecture support for mobile, secure and distributed operations. COE creates an approved set of standards, computing technologies, integrated data and databases, common graphics, and a unified set of mission command applications. It allows warfighters to adapt and configure the network as conditions change - which is outlined in the approved COE requirements documents. FY 2026 funds will be used to mature technologies to assess and evaluate the technical feasibility of solutions for enhanced planning and execution capabilities that enable better and rapid decision making at the speed of relevance. Funds will also support identification, maturation, demonstration, and evaluation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ systems and subsystem components including, but not limited to, data discovery, synchronization, security, and analysis across multiple data silos and disparate data platforms to efficiently create a common and integrated data layer to support Joint and Coalition Interoperability requirements. Funds will also support integration with solutions identified in other Army network priorities to ensure network dependencies are addressed.

Mission — Command Post Mobility/Survivability source

This funding supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems, Infrastructure Layer. This line supports advanced component development activities that are aligned to Command Post mobility/survivability efforts that may transition to sponsoring programs that get integrated in the Army's future Command Posts. The technical maturation and evaluation allow for Command Post disaggregation capabilities to inform future designs and support Command Post survivability against near peer competitors. FY 2026 funds will be used to mature, prototype, and evaluate emerging technologies that will inform design choices for the Army's Command Post infrastructure. Funds also support identification, maturation, demonstration, and evaluation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ systems and subsystem components including, but not limited to, a desired end state of resilient communications, adaptable computing and infrastructure, electromagnetic signature management, electromagnetic signature awareness, and distributed collaboration to support Joint and Coalition Interoperability requirements in addition to Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in Denied, Disconnected, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) network conditions. Successful solutions identified through evaluation in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment will be transitioned to Programs of Record for integration and fielding. Funds will also support integration with solutions identified in other Army network priorities to ensure network dependencies are addressed.

Mission — Unified Network Transport source

This funding supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative to modernize Command and Control (C2) systems, Infrastructure, Applications, and Transport Layers. The Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Network (PEO C3N) is responsible for programming, managing and executing these projects and ensuring these funds are aligned to advanced component development activities supporting the Army's Network Modernization requirements. PEO C3N, in partnership with the Command and Control Cross-Functional Team (C2-CFT), prioritizes technology demonstrations, focused evaluations, and expert analyses to inform future requirements, mature technologies, and deliver new capabilities. Efforts funded from these projects will inform technology transitions, research and development, and user assessments, and then rapidly transition to appropriate Programs of Record or be established as a new program. Unified Network Transport provides the ground domain network connectivity of Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and enables Unified Action Partner interoperability through integration with the Mission Partner Environment (MPE). Interoperability is the ability to routinely act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve tactical, operational, and strategic objectives. Interoperability between disparate forces allows coalitions to produce greater combat power than the sum of their parts by leveraging relative strengths while mitigating relative weaknesses. FY 2026 funds will support identification, maturation, demonstration, and evaluation of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ systems and subsystem components including, but not limited to, resilient Line of Sight (LOS) and beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications, information management systems, cyber electromagnetic activities (CEMA) situational understanding and operations, intelligent and threat-informed networking, cloud technologies, virtual augmentation, artificial intelligence/ machine learning (AI/ML), and data convergence and analytics in the Common Operating Environment to achieve modernized Unified Network capabilities required for the Army's Command Control (C2) strategy for Infrastructure, Applications, and Transport. Successful solutions identified through evaluation in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment will be transitioned to Programs of Record for integration and fielding. Funds will also support integration with solutions identified in other Army network priorities to ensure network dependencies are addressed. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $2.553 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (6)