Data could soon empower Marines at the edge like never before

Three-star generals sitting in a command post are empowered by vast amounts of data, and Marines in the trenches far from static outposts could soon benefit from that same amount of access, according to one official.

“The days of having this big COP, this common operational picture, at only one location and trying to push some information out … are really coming to an end,” Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, deputy commander of the Marine Corps Combat Capability Development Command, told reporters during a media roundtable Aug. 1.

Wise was discussing technologies tested as part of a recent Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) that took place at Camp Lejeune. The purpose of these exercises are to identify capability gaps and better inform requirements for future fights.

“As we look at that future fight in, say, the 2030 timeframe and beyond, we’re looking at that place where we need to be at some point and the capabilities we need to have,” Wise said.

Part of that future fight involves taking advantage of communications technologies to provide Marines at the lowest levels unprecedented levels of situational awareness (similar to an issue the Army has addressed).