US Army soldiers tested the prototype Next Generation Command and Control network during urban combat simulations at Fort Irwin, California, balancing AI-enabled battlefield technology against traditional infantry tactics. According to Army leadership, troops integrated uncrewed systems and smartphones running the NGC2 software during the Project Convergence Capstone exercise to evaluate how new networks perform in large-scale combat.
Urban Assault Exercises at Fort Irwin
The simulated urban combat took place inside Razish, a sprawling training city featuring winding streets, varying building heights, underground tunnels, and hidden positions. According to Army accounts, assault forces raced toward the city in Bradley Fighting Vehicles while smoke concealed their movement. Troops navigated barbed wire, cars, and concrete blocks placed by opposing forces from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as “Blackhorse.”
During the assault, two primary objectives for the troops were the city jail and a large central palace. Soldiers dismounted from their combat vehicles to systematically clear buildings. According to participants, infantry and Bradley crews coordinated closely, with the vehicles using heavier weaponry to engage distant threats while dismounted troops cleared close-in positions.
Integrating Drones and Ground Robots in Mock Warfare
Units incorporated uncrewed aerial systems into their operations prior to the main assault. According to Business Insider reporting, Blackhorse drones flew above the city an hour before the breach, while unit commanders utilized a Black Widow quadcopter with a four-kilometer range to assess enemy vehicles pushing into the area. Capt. Mohamed Elmaola of the 4th Infantry Division stated that the systems allowed forces to find targets with uncrewed aerial systems, fix them with fires, and finish them with anti-tank weapons.
While aerial drones proved effective for early surveillance, soldiers noted that their usage shifted once fighting moved into the city streets. An uncrewed ground vehicle called the NOMAD operated outside city limits earlier in the day but did not participate in the assault. Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, head of the Army Joint Modernization Command, stated that the military wants to avoid saturating environments with distracting technology that hinders efficient training.
Did you know? The Army’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as “Blackhorse,” acted as the enemy forces during exercises at Fort Irwin in California.
Testing the Next Generation Command and Control Network
Inside the training city, troops utilized the Next Generation Command and Control system, a prototype AI-enabled battlefield network. Developed by the 4th Infantry Division with industry partners at Fort Carson, Colorado, the software runs on chest-mounted smartphones termed End User Devices. Soldiers used the network to track friendly force locations and identify potential enemy hiding spots within the city.
The technology experienced mixed results during the tests. According to participating soldiers, connection issues and electronic warfare jamming rendered the NGC2 system mostly unusable at times. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army vice chief of staff, welcomed the mixed outcomes, stating that encountering failures in the desert helps the military determine which systems live up to their advertised capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the Project Convergence Capstone exercise?
The exercise gathered close to 10,000 soldiers at Fort Irwin to test new weapons, uncrewed systems, and AI-enabled software networks during simulated large-scale combat.
How do infantry troops and Bradley Fighting Vehicles work together in urban combat?
Bradleys use heavier weaponry to engage distant threats, while dismounted infantry clear buildings and protect the vehicles from close-range anti-vehicle weapons.
What is the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system?
NGC2 is an Army prototype, AI-enabled battlefield network tested on chest-mounted smartphones to help soldiers map friendly positions and track enemy locations.
Who acted as the opposing force during the Fort Irwin simulations?
Troops from Fort Irwin’s 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, known as “Blackhorse,” served as the mock enemy forces.
Want to stay updated on military technology and defense news?
Explore more of our reporting and join the conversation in the comments below.
Related reading