This article, originally published on Government Technology Insider, examines why electronic warfare is accelerating the United States Army’s need for resilient, interoperable C2 and Counter-C2 capabilities. As contested communications, disrupted networks, and electromagnetic spectrum operations become central to mission success, the Army’s NGC2 modernization efforts are helping lay the foundation for decision advantage across multi-domain environments. Read on to learn more from our group of experts who attended TechNet Augusta and participated in these mission-critical conversations.
Electronic warfare, or the ability to degrade or destroy an adversary’s communications capabilities, has never been more important for mission success than it is today. While ordnance and other conventional weapons of war are still fundamental to warfare, electronic warfare activities, such as jamming networks, launching cyberattacks, and rendering data unusable, can inflict damage immediately and create the opportunity for decisive victories on the ground.
As the United States Army moves closer to fully deploying its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) posture, it’s imperative that they are able to access and acquire the best industry partners have to offer. At this year’s TechNet Augusta conference military leaders met with partners from industry and academia to lay the foundation for warfighting superiority in the many contested environments the United States military and its allies face today.
“Recent conflicts, especially in Ukraine have demonstrated that forces that can disrupt enemy communications, navigation, sensors, and command networks can gain a decisive advantage without destroying a large number of enemy platforms,” shared Joshua Carson, Director of Business Development at Chenega IT Enterprise Solutions (CITES) who attended TechNet Augusta 2026. “As a result, electronic warfare, Command and Control (C2) and Counter-C2 capabilities that enable faster decision making and action are critical to campaign success.”
With the United States Army now including electromagnetic spectrum dominance as a prerequisite for success in multi-domain operations (MDO), it’s imperative that digital communications, data links, GPS, sensors, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and battlefield management systems are fully interoperable and secure. Added fellow conference attendee, Brian Andrews, Sr. Program Administrator at Chenega Advanced Solutions and Intelligence Services, “if these systems that enable commanders to understand the battlefield, coordinate forces, and execute rapidly are degraded or denied then combat power, and domain superiority are significantly reduced.”
To deliver on the mission, the Army is currently transforming its C2 and Counter-C2 capabilities. “There are many challenges the Army faces with achieving strategic advantage in electronic warfare from integrating data, networks, sensors, applications, and communications systems across Army, Joint, and coalition environments,” explained Fernando Pereira, Business Development Director at Astraeus Operations. “The Army must also maintain secure and reliable C2 when operating with limited bandwidth or under cyber and electronic attacks. NGC2 addresses this challenge by moving toward a more open, interoperable, and resilient architecture.”
This is where the connections and relationships built at TechNet Augusta become so important. “TechNet Augusta brings Soldiers, Army leaders, acquisition teams, industry, and academia together to discuss operational challenges and emerging technologies,” Pereira shared. “This direct collaboration helps industry understand mission requirements while allowing the Army to identify commercial capabilities that can be rapidly integrated, tested, and fielded.” Added Brian Andrews, “one of the greatest benefits is that Soldiers and Commanders can explain operational challenges directly to industry instead of relying on formal requirements documents. This helps industry develop solutions that are relevant to real-world military operations more quickly.”
With NGC2 it’s not only imperative for mission-ready solutions to be delivered at speed and scale, but as with all technology today, solutions must allow for the continuous integration of new capabilities. “Whether these new capabilities are in advance of, or in response to, new threats from our adversaries, it’s vital that industry is always innovating to support the Army and responding to battle-tested requirements,” shared Meghan Hilbruner, Director of Business Development, at Chronos Operations. “Being at TechNet Augusta and meeting face-to-face with military personnel strengthened our relationships, ability to collaborate, and identify opportunities, areas of need and capabilities. Being in a room together means that we can deliver what the warfighter needs more quickly.”
As electronic warfare continues to shape the modern battlefield, C2 and Counter-C2 superiority will define how effectively the United States Army can protect communications, accelerate decision-making, and maintain operational advantage in contested environments. Through NGC2 modernization and continued collaboration with industry at forums like TechNet Augusta, the Army is building the resilient, interoperable, and adaptable capabilities needed to meet emerging threats at speed. Mission success will depend on delivering secure, integrated solutions that give Soldiers the information, connectivity, and confidence required to act decisively when the electromagnetic spectrum is under attack.