Lockheed Martin showcased its software-driven command and control integration for air and missile defense during the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise. The company stated that the demonstrations supported United States and coalition forces by connecting sensors, weapons, and command systems across multiple operational domains. The goal was to unify various systems to enhance operational awareness and response options.
Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager of Mission Integration Command and Control at Lockheed Martin, described the demonstrations as highlighting the operational advantage created through integration. He noted that the company’s battle management systems and multi-domain expertise are currently applied in real-world operations, providing a foundation for further innovation. DePietro added that combining this experience with modern digital technologies allows for faster movement from innovation to mission impact.
The demonstrations included activities related to the Guam Defense System battle manager, long-range targeting, and live tracking using the Aegis Guam and TPY-6 systems. For the Guam Defense System Battle Manager portion, Lockheed Martin utilized its CommandIQ-powered Battle Management application. This software provided operators with prioritized recommendations to ensure threats were engaged at the appropriate time with suitable response options to protect critical assets.
The application was designed to rapidly integrate new software and align with pre-planned warfighter responses. It could also be modified in real time to adapt to changing battlefield conditions. The system integrated live and simulated data from several joint integrated air and missile defense systems participating in the exercise, including C2BMC, Aegis Guam, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Integrated Battle Command System, and Air Base Air Defense System Missile Defense.
This integration gave the regional air defense commander a common tactical picture of the battlespace. The system displayed planned engagements from participating integrated air and missile defense systems and used artificial intelligence to evaluate engagement options. Lockheed Martin stated that the system provided real-time recommendations to maximize the effectiveness of each system and preserve munitions capacity. After operator review, the application digitally directed the appropriate tactical weapon system to conduct an engagement while coordinating with other systems to maintain readiness.
The company described providing such recommendations for ballistic, hypersonic, and air defense engagements across joint integrated air and missile defense forces as a first-of-its-kind capability. Additionally, Lockheed Martin demonstrated commercial track custody capabilities for long-range targeting. Working with HawkEye 360, the company integrated capabilities to generate unclassified tracks from commercial sensor data and distribute them across the joint force. This effort was among the first to use unclassified, commercial, edge-based processing, exploitation, dissemination, and track custody capabilities to provide on-demand signals intelligence.
