The US Army is developing its new Command Post Integrated Infrastructure (CPI2) to enhance operability across the battlefield.
CPI2 is a mobile command platform that is able to rapidly “tear down, move, and stand” command and control (C2) capabilities, helping the army achieve its top communications priorities while reducing command post footprint in warfare scenarios.
Once completed, the effort will replace the service’s aging Command Post Tent System with a family of more adaptable stations.
The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Ghost” is currently facilitating CPI2 tests at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.
“CPI2 is intended to provide the Army a more survivable mission command platform,” Ghost Fire Support Officer and CPI2 Lead Planner Maj. Joseph Brown explained.
“Brigades will consume less time in transitions and the improved survivability makes our C2 structure more resilient to enemy attack.”
Leveraging Warfighter Insights
Ghost Brigade is working with experts at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, for the prototyping, integration, and additional assessments of the CPI2.
Throughout the initiative, the army is collecting insights from soldiers to validate how the mobile command platform performs in support of missions.
“Soldiers are exercising the CPI2 by conducting real-world missions in an operational environment,” US Army Operational Test Command Officer Beresford Doherty stated.
Testing Potential With Existing Vehicles
The feedback will also serve as the basis for integrating the future CPI2 into land-based fleets, including Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, Medium Tactical Vehicles, and other armored units.
“Nine production representative vehicles are being tested under simulated combat operations,” Doherty said.
“So far it’s been pretty good, we’ve run into some issues, but I think as we work things out it’s going to get better and faster,” a US Army soldier said.
“The coolest part is that they can connect the services we provide through wireless, versus through fiber, across the battlefield. And just the whole set up of the expando is like a mini conference room,” an army personnel added.