A new win for the Army’s modernized fires execution software suite brings it one step closer to replacing the current Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, AFATDS, and delivering the next generation of fires capability known as AFATDS Artillery Execution Suite, AXS.
During a Soldier transformation event in May 2025—supported by the 18th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), 82nd Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps, the Texas National Guard, and the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N) at the Fort Bragg Mission Training Center—AXS sent a fire mission to an M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), emplaced at a firing point, and then successfully executed a dry fire mission.
This was the first time AXS has performed in an “end-to-end” fires thread, taking the mission all the way from the Joint Targeting Integrated Command and Control Suite (JTIC2S) through AFATDS, and onto AXS to complete the launch.
Until this point in development, AFATDS was the only tool that could send an actual fire mission to cannon and rocket firing platforms, and AXS had only been demonstrated in a simulated environment.
At the direction of Army Senior Leaders, AXS has recently pivoted its development focus from fire support coordination functions like creating a target, to developing tactical and technical fire mission capability, sending the actual coordinates and information to the launcher to “fire” the missile.
AXS has successfully demonstrated its ability to automate fires execution, bringing it closer to becoming a complete replacement for AFATDS.
While AFATDS has long served as the Army’s system for controlling and executing fires and effects, AXS will be more intuitive and data-centric, allowing for quicker upgrades and an adaptable system that aligns with technological advancement.
“AXS is visually striking, with a sleek, modern interface that stands out,” said Master Sgt. Alexis Rodriguez, Army Capability Manager Fires Cells-Targeting (ACM FC-T). “It operates significantly faster than AFATDS, while maintaining a familiar look and feel on key screens such as Guidance and the Target Workspace.”
As ballistic capabilities continue to be integrated into the AXS baseline of software functionality, it will also work in coordination with the Joint Targeting Integrated Command and Control Suite (JTIC2S), which provides joint and organic Army fire support management, a joint fires/ targeting common operational picture (COP), and target development at echelon. JTIC2S and AXS will share a common data-centric baseline.
“AXS has shown how agile development should look,” said Chief Warrant Officer 03 David Santel, ACM FC-T, who participated in the transformation event. “JTIC2S has positioned itself to run all coordination and deconfliction for Corps and divisions throughout the U.S. Army and will work directly with AXS for end-to-end lethal fires.”
In addition to the successful fires thread during the transformation event, Soldiers from the 18th FAB conducted software usability assessments to identify “pain points” or design issues with the AXS software, offering feedback about how to make the software even more intuitive.
"The team developing the software was truly invested in our feedback,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Cardoza, 18th Field Artillery Brigade Fire Control Master Gunner, who also participated in the transformation event. “I’m confident they will create a really good product for future generations of field artillery men and women."
The event concluded with Soldiers from 18th FAB completing a series of fire missions unassisted by the AXS/JTIC2S team.
The Army will continue to exercise AXS in a series of risk reduction events in preparation for a live firing of a Reduced Range Practice Rocket (RRPR) this summer. AXS will continue to incorporate additional rocket and cannon munitions into the system and is on track to deliver the first cannon live fire event early in 2026.
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The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, and Network (PEO C3N) develops, acquires, fields and supports the Army's Unified Network (Tactical and Enterprise) to ensure force readiness in both current missions and potential future large scale combat operations. This critical Army modernization priority delivers resilient terrestrial and satellite communications capabilities to ensure commanders and Soldiers remain connected and informed at all times, even in the most austere and hostile environments. PEO C3N is delivering an integrated Unified Network to regions around the globe, enabling high-speed, high-capacity voice, data and video communications to an Army user base that includes joint, coalition and other mission partners.
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