Enhanced network capability fuels success for US Army's Project Convergence Capstone 4 launch

More than 4,000 U.S. service members, military civilians, and joint and multinational force members have united to explore the future of warfighting communications, operations, and maneuvers. Reporting from the 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element, Spc. Jackson Gray details the ongoing Project Convergence Capstone 4, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Futures Command, which incorporates a sophisticated communications network to facilitate effective information exchange across various levels of experimentation.
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Harley Leggett and Lachcan Cocqunoun, members of the Australian Defense Force, assigned to the 3 combat signals regiment, set up a communications tower during Project Convergence - Capstone 4 at Camp Pendleton Calif. Compared to previous Project Convergence events, this year hosts the largest-ever Multinational involvement to date with militaries from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and Japan (Picture source: U.S. Army/Spc. Marquis McCants, 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element)

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George emphasizes the paramount importance of the network in modern warfare, highlighting its role in communication, command, and control across warfighting functions. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeramy Cosner, representing AFC’s Network Cross-Functional Team, underscores the collaborative effort involving existing and experimental communication technologies from the Army, joint services, and multinational partners to enable swift and extensive collaboration.

The mission scenarios within Capstone 4 serve to identify challenges and opportunities for integrating new technologies and tactics, including software capabilities for enhanced connectivity, data correlation, and user interface. Moreover, the involvement of multinational partners, including the Australian Defense Force, reflects the broad scope of this endeavor, aiming to optimize network resilience and interoperability in contested and remote environments.

Under the theme of "Persistent Experimentation," Capstone 4 advances efforts to enhance network robustness, interoperability, and integration with lightweight software and state-of-the-art networking protocols. British Lt. Col. Mark Foote emphasizes the importance of establishing reliable mission partner networks, essential for data sharing and integrated fires across coalition forces.

Building upon previous experimentation events, Capstone 4 aligns with the Army's vision for adaptable, mobile, and effective command and control systems. As Chief Warrant Officer 5 Cosner notes, Project Convergence drives innovation to meet evolving battlefield demands, shaping the future of military operations.

Military personnel and civilians prepare vehicles to assist in experimentation for Project Convergence Capstone 4 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 15, 2024 (Picture source: U.S. Army/Sgt. Brahim Douglas)

Defense News February 2024