JADC2 Development and Experimentation Activities

The JADC2 Development and Experimentation Activities program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO), is focused on accelerating the Department of Defense's (DoD) adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable decision advantage across all levels of military operations. The program's primary objective is to advance Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) capabilities in support of the Joint Warfighting Concept, with a particular emphasis on operational integration, data interoperability, and rapid fielding of digital capabilities. This program element is structured into three major lines of effort: Data Integration Layer (DIL), Mission Command Applications, and Global Experimentation (GIDE), each with distinct but complementary goals.

The Data Integration Layer (DIL) initiative is designed to mature the management of DoD operational data and deploy a tactical edge data mesh (EDM) that enables seamless data integration among both new and legacy systems. The EDM provides a resilient, interoperable data integration service that connects sensors, weapons, and other battlefield assets, enhancing situational awareness and coordination within a secure cloud environment. The DIL leverages commercial software, a government-owned software development kit (SDK), and open application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate integration between government and vendor systems, support tactical data sharing, and incorporate AI/machine learning capabilities at the edge.

The DIL specifically supports multi-domain operations in contested environments by optimizing data exchange across Denied, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) communication paths. Key efforts include deploying additional EDM nodes, integrating new data sources, and improving cross-domain data solutions for Combatant Command (CCMD) priorities, particularly in INDOPACOM and other operational theaters.

Mission Command Applications focuses on integrating data, analytics, and AI in support of the seven Joint warfighting functions through a common, government-owned/contractor-operated data stack that adheres to Open DAGIR principles. Funding under this project is used to purchase licenses for Combatant Commands and Joint Staff to access the Maven Smart System (MSS) across multiple networks, provide engineering support for integrating new data sources, and digitize operational workflows. It also maintains a DevSecOps pipeline that enables third-party vendors to develop and field applications on the MSS platform, addressing identified CJADC2 capability gaps.

The program supports cloud computing costs and aims to expand the vendor base for application development, ensuring that new digital tools and workflows can be rapidly deployed and shared across CCMDs. The program continues to procure MSS licenses and engineering support for a broad range of CCMDs, facilitating the adoption of AI-enabled mission command solutions.

Global Experimentation (GIDE) represents an iterative, metrics-based approach to experimentation with CJADC2 capabilities and concepts. This line item funds regular Global Information Dominance Experiments (GIDE) and smaller GIDE-X data integration sprints, which test new data integrations and digital workflows in live operational environments with real users and mission data. The objective is to validate and rapidly field software-based capabilities that demonstrate operational value.

GIDE activities include cross-CCMD strategic and operational integration, as well as tactical-to-operational fires workflows, in coordination with the Services. The program also supports workforce development efforts to recruit, train, and enable DoD personnel to adopt digital CJADC2 capabilities and workflows. GIDE will continue to iterate on capability and concept development, scaling user adoption of data-centric command and control workflows across the Joint Staff, CCMDs, and the Services.

A key underpinning of the entire JADC2 Development and Experimentation Activities program is the Open DAGIR acquisition approach, which ensures government data rights, open APIs, and open systems best practices in the procurement of commercial software. This approach is not a technical solution itself but a procurement strategy that enables interoperability across data stacks and allows third-party application developers to access and utilize mission data effectively. Open DAGIR is applied across all three lines of effort to facilitate integration, innovation, and rapid capability delivery.

The program's structure and funding reflect Congressional direction to improve transparency and accountability in CJADC2 development. Congressional adds supported the integration of data sources across DoD and the Intelligence Community into prototype data mesh services, informing future tactical data service requirements. The program's realignment and the creation of distinct project codes for DIL, Mission Command Applications, and GIDE in the FY 2026 budget cycle further clarify the specific objectives and resource allocations for each line of effort.