Summary of Transformation in Contact (TiC)
1.0 and 2.0

Transformation in Contact (TiC) 1.0 is an accelerated capability delivery initiative, directed by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), to rapidly equip frontline units with emerging technologies and integrate real-time operational feedback into modernization efforts. The goal is to identify, test, and field new capabilities in direct support of warfighter needs while bypassing bureaucratic delays inherent in traditional acquisition processes.
The CSA’s guidance emphasized:

  • Empowering select operational units to experiment with new technologies.
  • Immediate modifications to the Army’s Modified Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) based on TiC findings.
  • Updates to Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF).
  • Adjustments to force structure to ensure superiority over near-peer adversaries.

Number of Systems Evaluated and Funding Allocated

Under TiC 1.0, $530 million was allocated for the initial fielding or acceleration of 20 key systems. These systems aimed to enhance mobility, situational awareness, counter-UAS capabilities, sustainment, and warfighter lethality.This rush may increase the risk of errors, noncompliance, or missed opportunities to obligate funds effectively.

The following systems (not all inclusive) were part of the funding decision:
  • Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) – A lightweight, highly mobile ground vehicle for rapid infantry transport.
  • Short, Medium, and Long-Range Reconnaissance UAS (SRR, MRR, LRR) – Various unmanned aerial systems for intelligence gathering at different operational ranges.
  • Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (DAPS) – A handheld PNT receiver for resilient navigation in GPS-contested environments.
  • Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS) – A logistics UAS capable of autonomously delivering supplies in contested environments.
  • Spectrum Guard – An electronic warfare (EW) system designed to detect and counter adversarial signal threats.
  • Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) – The Army’s next-generation UAS to replace the RQ-7 Shadow.

These technologies were rapidly evaluated through unit-level experimentation to generate immediate feedback and inform long-term modernization decisions.

TiC 1.0 Overview

TiC 1.0 Participating Units

The following units conducted field evaluations of these systems:

Divisions & Brigades
  • 101st Airborne Division (101 AA DIV)
  • 25th Infantry Division (25 ID)
  • 34th Infantry Division (MNARNG)

Brigade Combat Teams
  • 2nd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (2/101 MBCT)
  • 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (2/25 LBCT)
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (3/10 LBCT)

TiC 2.0 and Fielding Units

Building on TiC 1.0, TiC 2.0 expands the scope of modernization experimentation by increasing the number of participating units, enhancing the range of tested technologies, and integrating multi-domain operations (MDO) at the brigade and division levels.

TiC 2.0 Objectives:

  • Multi-Domain Operations (MDO): Integration of land, air, cyber, space, and electronic warfare capabilities to create cross-domain synergy.
  • AI-Driven Battle Management: AI-enhanced C2 systems for faster, data-driven decision-making.
  • Next-Generation Electronic Warfare & Cyber Capabilities: Real-time sensor-to-shooter linkages, automated EW detection, and network protection.
  • Scalable and Distributed Operations: Testing mobile, disaggregated unit formations to increase survivability in contested battlespaces.
  • Resilient Communications & Networked Warfighting: Fielding secure, jam-resistant battle networks.
  • Advanced Sustainment Concepts: Experimenting with unmanned sustainment operations, predictive logistics, and robotic resupply.

TiC 2.0 Participating Units

TiC 2.0 includes an expanded set of Regular Army, Special Operations, and National Guard units to test these emerging capabilities.

Regular Army BCTs (RA BCTs)
  • 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (1/101 MBCT)
  • 3rd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (3/101 MBCT)
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (3/25 LBCT)
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (1/1 CD ABCT)
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (1/3 ID ABCT)
  • 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2SCR SBCT)
  • 1/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (1/2 SBCT)

Enablers (Divisions)
  • Division Artillery (DIVARTY), Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), Sustainment Brigade (SB)
  • Intelligence & Electronic Warfare Battalion (IEW BN)
  • Engineer Battalion (ENG BN), Signal Battalion (SIG BN)
  • 82nd Airborne Division (82 ABN)

U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)
  • 75th Ranger Regiment (RR)
  • 1st and 5th Special Forces Groups

Army National Guard (ARNG)
  • 38th Infantry Division and its associated Modular and Light Brigade Combat Teams.

TiC 2.0 WFX (Warfighter Exercise)

TiC 2.0 Warfighter Exercise (WFX) 25-02 is a high-level operational test designed to validate division and corps-level multi-domain warfighting strategies. This exercise integrates real-time battlefield effects from cyber, electronic warfare, space, and AI-driven targeting to stress-test new capabilities.

Key Components of TiC 2.0 WFX:

  • Strategic-Level Command & Control: Focus on AI-enhanced battle networks, distributed operations, and contested logistics.
  • Multi-Theater Integration: Exercises simulate joint-force operations in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, reflecting global deployment scenarios.
  • Advanced Cyber & Electronic Warfare (EW) Experimentation: Units test real-time cyber effects and AI-driven EW against simulated peer adversaries.
  • Distributed and Mobile Command Posts: Testing adaptive command-and-control (C2) structures to survive in high-intensity conflict.
  • Unmanned & AI-Enhanced Warfighting: Evaluating autonomous battlefield support, including ISR, loitering munitions, and robotic sustainment.

Participating Units in TiC 2.0 WFX

• Major Corps & Divisions
  • III Armored Corps (III AC)
  • 18th Airborne Corps (18 ABC)
  • 7th Infantry Division (7 ID)
• 56th Operations Force Command (56 OFC)
       o Leading cyber-electromagnetic warfare and space integration.
• Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTF)
       o Testing long-range precision fires, AI-enhanced C2, and joint force integration.

Key Differences Between TiC 1.0 and TiC 2.0

Conclusion: The Strategic Impact of TiC 2.0 and WFX 25-02

TiC 2.0 and WFX 25-02 are fundamentally reshaping how the Army modernizes, integrates emerging technologies, and develops multi-domain warfighting capabilities. By enabling real-time experimentation and leveraging AI-enhanced targeting, contested logistics, electronic warfare, and networked battle command, these efforts are ensuring that U.S. forces remain dominant in a rapidly evolving global threat environment.