During Exercise Balikatan 2026, Lockheed Martin demonstrated its Next Generation Command and Control system designed to enhance coordination across modern battlefield operations. The prototype connected air, land, and fires assets into a shared digital environment capable of supporting real-time operational decisions. The system successfully integrated data from Apache helicopters, HIMARS rocket systems, artillery, and surveillance sensors during live-fire scenarios conducted jointly by US and Philippine forces. By operating through multiple distributed command nodes across the Indo-Pacific region, the network maintained continuous situational awareness without depending on centralized infrastructure. The exercise showcased the growing importance of digital battlefield integration and multinational interoperability as the US and its allies prepare for increasingly complex military operations in contested environments.
