C3I Advanced Technology

The C3I Advanced Technology program element (PE 0603042A) is a U.S. Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on maturing, demonstrating, and validating advanced Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) technologies. The overarching goal is to develop mid-to-long term tactical C3I capabilities that address emerging and future threats, supporting Army modernization priorities and ensuring technological overmatch in future operational environments. This program integrates advanced research across networking, cyber, electronic warfare, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), space, and persistent surveillance. There is a strong emphasis on transitioning critical technologies to Army programs of record.

CN3: Network Enabling University Advanced Development is a project within this program that accelerates the maturation of advanced network technologies, particularly those originating from academic research. Objectives include developing intelligent, secure, and self-healing networks capable of operating in GPS-degraded or denied environments, enhancing cyber defense systems through AI/ML, and advancing non-GPS PNT solutions. The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) leads this effort, which also supports the integration of next-generation network and assured PNT systems. This ensures resilient communications and situational awareness for Army operations.

CX7: Intelligent Environmental Battlefield Awareness Advanced Technology focuses on optimizing technologies that enhance soldiers' ability to maneuver in complex environments, such as urban and industrial landscapes. This project develops advanced geospatial tools, predictive GIS mapping, hydrology models, and vegetation analysis to improve situational awareness and mission planning. The United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and its laboratories are responsible for maturing these capabilities. These technologies are particularly relevant for anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) scenarios and operations in extreme or data-limited environments.

CX8: Persistent Geophysical Sensing-Infrasound Advanced Technology aims to deliver passive, persistent, non-line-of-sight sensing solutions for battlefield intelligence. The project matures geophysical sensor arrays and processing algorithms to detect and classify threats such as explosive events, fires, and infrastructure vulnerabilities, providing near-real-time data for engineer and intelligence communities. Demonstrations include both hardware and software solutions, with a focus on adaptability and rapid deployment for wide-area monitoring in support of multi-domain operations.

CX9: Sensing in Contested Environments Advanced Technologies is dedicated to developing sensor technologies for detecting non-weaponized biological hazards in subterranean environments. By leveraging commercial off-the-shelf sensors and integrating them with unmanned ground vehicles, this project seeks to enhance soldiers' ability to identify and mitigate biological threats in complex underground settings. The ERDC Environmental Laboratory leads this work, which is closely aligned with Army priorities for contested and hazardous environments.

CZ5: Subterranean Detection and Monitoring Advanced Technology supports the development of mobile and man-portable systems for detecting tunnels and monitoring subterranean activities. The goal is to provide greater situational awareness and survivability during urban operations by countering enemy use of underground spaces. This includes optimizing geophysical sensing technologies for varied and complex terrains, with demonstrations focused on operationally relevant environments.

DB5: Enabling Long Standoff 3D (ELS3D) Advanced Technology is focused on integrating and demonstrating low size, weight, and power (SWAP) LIDAR systems and processing algorithms for high-resolution 3D data collection at long standoff ranges. These capabilities are essential for mapping, ISR, targeting, and autonomous navigation, particularly against near-peer adversaries. The Geospatial Research Laboratory leads this effort, which aims to overcome current limitations in airborne 3D data collection.

DE7: Understanding Environment as a Threat Advanced Technology matures predictive tools and software that help soldiers assess and balance environmental risks during route planning in urban and complex environments. This includes integrating physical, chemical, and biological threat data into mission planning platforms, with demonstrations of ultra-low detection technologies for hazardous substances in dense urban and subterranean settings.

DI6: Anti-Tamper Advanced Technology Development is a new start in FY 2025, transitioning from a related protective technologies program. Its objective is to mature and demonstrate anti-tamper tools, devices, and techniques that protect critical program information and acquisition systems from adversarial reverse engineering. The Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) leads this effort, which supports Army and DoD program protection requirements by advancing microelectronics-based security solutions for integration into weapons systems.