Key Takeaways
- The Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative is expanding to National Guard units.
- New equipment includes Infantry Squad Vehicles, drones, and advanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities.
- Armor Brigade Combat Teams are now undergoing modernization to enhance battlefield effectiveness and coordination.
Army Modernization Expands to the National Guard
During a recent Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced that the Army’s ongoing brigade modernization program, known as the Transformation in Contact (TIC) initiative, is being extended to National Guard units. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of operational units as they prepare for training and deployments.
The TIC initiative, which originally focused on three infantry brigades—3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, and 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division—has demonstrated improvements in capabilities, mobility, and command-and-control systems. As a result, these brigades have been restructured into what are termed “Mobile Brigade Combat Teams.”
With the shift to TIC 2.0, the Army’s current focus includes Armor Brigade Combat Teams and division-level assets. The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division recently conducted Exercise Combined Resolve in Hohenfels, Germany, demonstrating the effectiveness of these new capabilities on the battlefield.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie emphasized that the Raider Brigade is at the forefront of this modernization effort, experimenting with new technologies aimed at improving battlefield efficiency in Europe. The trial involves four phases: adapting combat methods, integrating cutting-edge technologies, reorganizing formations to meet operational needs, and quickly incorporating newly available capabilities.
In addition, the 1st Cavalry Division has also begun implementing TIC 2.0 updates, tailoring plans to develop a new type of armor brigade. With expansive battlespace and rapid movement requirements, the division is enhancing its operations through various drone types and advanced weapon systems. The modernization efforts include upgrading to the A4 variant of the Bradley and the A7 variant of the Paladin artillery system, along with improvements in communication systems similar to those adopted by infantry units.
The culminating event for the 1st Cavalry Division under the TIC initiative is scheduled for 2027 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. As the Army continues to evolve its capabilities, the focus remains on ensuring that both active and Guard units are equipped with the same advanced technologies to meet future challenges on the battlefield.
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