Network-Centric Warfare Technology

The Network-Centric Warfare Technology program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a comprehensive research and development initiative focused on enabling advanced technologies and systems for network-centric warfare. The overarching goal of this program element is to ensure that U.S. military forces can operate seamlessly across all service components and domains. By leveraging networked information, autonomous systems, and advanced communications, the program seeks to achieve superior operational effectiveness. The program is structured to address high-payoff opportunities that can rapidly mature and transition advanced technology concepts into operational capabilities.

Joint Warfare Systems aims to create enabling technologies for seamless joint operations, spanning strategic planning, tactical, and urban operations. This project leverages current and emerging network, robotic, and information technologies to provide next-generation U.S. forces with increased capability, lethality, and responsiveness. Key objectives include understanding and countering flexible and robust adversary systems, synchronizing air and ground operations, and minimizing collateral damage in complex environments such as urban and peacekeeping missions.

Specific efforts include initiatives that focus on accelerating the fielding of proven technologies through rapid experimentation and transition frameworks, as well as programs that develop benchmarks for the ethical readiness of autonomous military systems. Other efforts address communications in highly constrained environments and explore new paradigms for joint, multi-domain kill chains and distributed autonomy in air combat.

Maritime Systems is dedicated to identifying, developing, and maturing critical technologies for naval forces within the network-centric warfare framework. The project seeks to enhance communication and interoperability among submarines, surface ships, and naval aircraft, enabling these assets to operate cohesively with other service networks. Notable programs develop next-generation submarine propulsion for improved maneuverability and stealth, revolutionize Freedom of Navigation escort operations through semi-autonomous, modular defense systems, and focus on novel undersea weapon technologies and payloads to counter adversary active sonar threats.

Additional efforts under Maritime Systems demonstrate the feasibility of persistent, autonomous unmanned surface vessels capable of long-duration missions without human intervention. Other programs advance autonomous undersea vehicles with robust navigation and mission execution capabilities independent of GPS, explore long-duration, large-payload unmanned underwater vehicles, and focus on underwater 3D concrete printing for marine engineering applications. There are also efforts addressing efficient unmanned surface vessel transport and adaptive underwater communications.

Network-Centric Warfare Technology also encompasses classified DARPA programs that support the broader objectives of the network-centric warfare initiative. While specific details are not publicly available due to classification, these efforts are reported in accordance with statutory requirements and are integral to advancing the technological edge of U.S. defense capabilities in the information domain.

A key justification for these investments is the need to maintain U.S. military superiority in increasingly contested and complex operational environments. Adversaries are developing flexible, networked systems that are difficult to neutralize, and U.S. doctrine emphasizes minimizing collateral damage and protecting noncombatants. The technologies developed under this program are intended to provide U.S. forces with the ability to rapidly adapt, synchronize effects across domains, and operate effectively in environments where traditional approaches may be insufficient.

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, the efforts under this program element will be transferred to DARPA Advanced Technology Development to streamline and consolidate advanced technology development activities. This transition reflects an ongoing commitment to evolving the Department of Defense's research and development portfolio to address emerging threats and operational needs with agility and innovation.