Army joint fires software enters development phase

The Army's Joint Targeting Integrated Command and Coordination Suite (JTIC2S), which will provide an automated fires targeting capability, is moving into development, the service announced today.

JTIC2S will give commanders “rapid data, situational awareness and visualization to successfully deliver fires,” according to a Monday announcement from the service. It will provide fires targeting capability and a “joint fires targeting common operational picture” for the joint force.

JTIC2S will link sensors and shooters “without the need for specific hardware,” according to the Army. The software program will provide data for both friendly and enemy units, and will be interoperable with joint, intelligence community and coalition forces systems, according to the service.

The software will process multiple data formats and utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to “aid commanders and forces in the decision-making process,” the Army stated Monday. Instead of using Excel files and PowerPoints, the data will be displayed through 4-D visualization.

JTIC2S is among the efforts within the Army to modernize its network and make it more mobile and agile -- among Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George’s main transformation priorities for the force. The software program is currently in the engineering and manufacturing development phase. The Army will next develop the first iteration, test it in the field, incorporate soldier feedback and solicit industry for further development.

JTIC2S will ultimately replace the Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System (JADOCS), however the new program will be “backwards compatible” with JADOCS so that joint forces using the old system will still be able to communicate, according to Lt. Col. Timothy Godwin, product manager for the Program Executive for Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical’s Fire Support Command and Control.

“We know that theaters fight differently. Developing JTIC2S as a software only program will help us integrate into any network, and as technology enhances, we can make changes without a lot of time and money,” Godwin said in a statement.

JTIC2S is a new start for fiscal year 2024, with the Army having requested $9.2 million for development, according to budget justification materials. In December, Defense One reported that prototyping activities would not be able to begin until Congress passes an FY-24 budget. Last week, Congress approved another continuing resolution that runs through March 22 for the Defense Department.