What is CJADC2 and Why Joint, Multi-Domain Wireless Communication Matters.
According to an article dated 1 August 2025 written by LTC Kyle Barrentt, USA “The Department of Defense (DOD) is addressing this critical need through the combined joint all-domain command and control (CJADC2) initiative. CJADC2 is an ongoing enterprise-wide effort to integrate sensors, shooters and decision-makers across all domains and forces, including allied partners. It aims to establish a robust, interconnected framework that enables real-time data sharing, seamless interoperability and accelerated decision cycles.”
This idea has according to Barrett, “The U.S. Army’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) system is a foundational element in realizing the CJADC2 vision. The Army officially established the NGC2 program office within the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network in April. This initiative aims to revolutionize C2 capabilities by enhancing decision-making speed and effectiveness for commanders. Col. Chris Anderson assumed leadership as the first program manager during an Assumption of Charter ceremony in April at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Under his guidance, the NGC2 team will work closely with the Army Futures Command to ensure rapid and continuous delivery of advanced C2 solutions.”
Rajant has proven legacy of supporting mission-critical military operations in combat environments. Since 2009 Rajant has supported Counter-Rocket Artillery Mortar (C-RAM) which integrates Army Air Defense and Field Artillery sensors, Command and Control (C2), and weapons to connect across different tactical domains (land, sea, space, and air). Rajant’s intelligent edge solutions are well suited for CJADC2/NGC2 because of their space, weight, and power, (SWaP) capabilities, offering a robust range of different BreadCrumbs for varying solutions tactical domains as well as supporting On-the-Move (OTM) operations for division and brigade forces.
To provide expertise on how Rajant can provide mission modularity and why multi-domain wireless comm matters, Ed Preston, President of Military and Government Markets, from Rajant Corporation shares his expertise on how Rajant’s intelligent edge can be integrated into military operations. Ed delves into the frequent communication challenges CJADC2 has and how Kinetic Mesh® adds advanced threat protection (ATP).
The Communication Challenges JCADC2 must Overcome (Heterogeneous Assets, Mobility, Contested Environments).
Common occurrences that operations often face during deployment impact several key events, such as day-to-day procedures, safety, and decision-making, which lead to worsening situational awareness for soldiers and operators. A few of these frequent challenges that may happen in the field include limited wireless communication, interference or signal loss, and infrastructure constraints, particularly in settings where mobility and contested environments are common. Without reliable communication, teams may experience delayed data, reduced visibility, or inefficiencies that affect overall wireless communication performance. Rajant Corporation answers some of these problems by integrating Kinetic Mesh® into the structure, offering a reliable, decentralized network for assets to live on.
Asset mobility introduces a unique set of challenges for traditional networks, particularly in rugged environments where nodes, assets, and personnel are constantly shifting positions). Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh® allows for operations work on Layer 2, enabling communications to become more efficient. Rajant offers RF modularity, allowing for the network to become flexible as radios change without rearchitecting the entire network.
Mobility often complicates latent management, security enforcement and network visibility. Rapid topology changes can affect how quickly data is routed, authenticated, and prioritized across the network. These challenges are amplified in rugged, contested, and bandwidth-constrained environments, where external factors such as terrain, weather, and RF congestion further influence performance. Kinetic Mesh addresses mobility effectively by our network topography by designing networks that can tolerate change, recover quickly from disruption, and maintain operational continuity without relying on static assumptions.
For Kinetic Mesh®, operating in contested environments requires an emphasis on resilience, adaptability, and decentralization. Contested environments place sustained pressure on communications systems during rugged defense operations that must operate despite interference, congestion, disruption, and network degradation, often used for mobility. Traditional centralized architectures can struggle under these conditions due to their reliance on fixed paths and single points of coordination.
Rajant’s ability to support Joint Operations aligns with the CJADC2/NGC2 vision as well as the layered protection and execution of kinetic and non-kinetic responses. The ability to integrate networked sensors, C2, and Fires as proven in combat can greatly reduce the ability to conduct operations do to our low-latency, stability, and secure networks.
The Role of Mesh Networks as a Resilient, Flexible Edge-Layer Solution.
As operations become more dispersed and mobile, traditional network architectures are often strained by high latency and centralized architecture. Kinetic Mesh networks have emerged as an edge-layer approach designed to address these challenges by enabling dynamic rerouting using InstaMesh protocol and decentralized infrastructure with local decision-making closer to where data is generated. Rather than relying on fixed infrastructure alone, Kinetic Mesh® networks support resilience, flexibility, and continuity in rugged environments where conditions are often unpredictable and contested.
As an edge-layer solution, mesh networks play a critical role in supporting mission-critical operations by maintaining wireless communications even when BreadCrumb® degradation, assets travel, or network interferences. This flexibility allows organizations to adapt to changing operational demands without extensive reconfiguration. When combined with thoughtful lifecycle planning, security considerations and integration with existing systems, Kinetic Mesh® contribute to a more resilient edge architecture that can scale with assets.
Benefits of Kinetic Mesh® at the Tactical Edge (Security, Latency, Reliability)
The Kinetic Mesh-based approach provides advantages in rugged environments where conditions, are frequently changing during military operations. By allowing BreadCrumbs® to communicate through multiple paths, Kinetic Mesh® supports more adaptable and resilient operation across the network and rugged environments without relying on a centralized network or single fixed route. This is through InstaMesh®’s protocol which frequently checks the best possible route for packets to travel through, and always prioritizes assets are in real-time.
Kinetic Mesh® helps support security across network nodes, reducing exposure when devices or assets move, connections change, and links are disrupted. This approach allows security measures to remain consistent even as the network evolves. In terms of latency, Kinetic Mesh® can reduce delays by enabling data to take the most efficient available path between devices, systems, and bounds rather than forcing traffic through centralized network points. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where real-time communication, mobility, and responsiveness are critical, like those in military operations where seconds can be detrimental if communications became unnoticed.
Reliability is another key benefit of a mesh design. Because multiple paths are available, communication can maintain even when individual connections or BreadCrumbs® experience downtime or slowness. This redundancy helps maintain operation during failures, interference, or changing conditions, supporting more stable performance over time and reducing the impact of unexpected disruptions.
Potential Limitations and What Complementing Technologies are Needed
Currently Rajant has invested in the technology to increase range and provide the Army the ability to offer modularity. Range has always been a factor when the Army chose tactical radios, however with the introduction video and data to the battlefield our BreadCrumb throughput is often more valuable than range. Former combat leaders are drawn to their soldier’s innovation Rajant has proven that mesh networks can support today’s needs on the battlefield.
Modularity can also address the limitation of deploying to areas with little or no infrastructure or RF frequencies that jammed by the enemy or saturated use of Army units. Rajant believes that provide a plug and play multi-frequency transceivers can provide maneuver forces with a unique to maintain and sustain communications.
Understanding these limitations early allows teams to set realistic expectations, plan mitigation strategies, and determine whether adjustments are required on the network to ensure long-term success to achieve successful operations.
Recommended BreadCrumbs® for Defense Operations
- EdgeCrumb integrated with Cowbell OS – Ruggedized IP67-rated device that enables distribute compute throughout the Kinetic Mesh® network. Orchestrates AI applications and supports common data protocols.
- Condor – military-grade dual transceiver it offers a maximum combined data rate of 1.7 Gbps with two MIMO radio interfaces.
- Peregrine – Offers four MIMO transceivers and up to 2.3Gbps data rat, high-throughput and enhanced security performance.
- RiSM – Rajant’s hardware security module for in-line network encryption. The RiSM has achieved FIPS 140-3 Level 2 certification.
Ready to learn more about how Rajant’s intelligent edge capabilities enable JADC2 to full potential? Connect with Ed on LinkedIn where he can provide more insight into how Rajant’s distributed computing can integrate within JADC2 architecture. Alternatively, if you are interested in ordering Rajant’s intelligent edge solutions, you can contact a Rajant representative.
