Project ASGARD: UK’s Bold Leap Toward Future Warfare
Project ASGARD, the British Army’s cutting-edge command and control initiative, is progressing to its next phase following successful live trials in Estonia. First revealed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in October 2024, ASGARD is designed to dramatically increase battlefield lethality through advanced digital targeting, big data integration, and artificial intelligence.
Live Trials and New Milestones
The project recently completed its first capability demonstration during Exercise Hedgehog 25, involving British, French, and Estonian troops. Held in Estonia, the trial showcased ASGARD’s potential to synchronize data from multiple sources and rapidly direct artillery, missiles, drones, and aircraft toward precise targets.
A second phase of development is now officially greenlit, with a Request for Information (RFI) expected by the end of July and a follow-up exercise scheduled for early 2026.
“ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike,” said Gen. Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff.
Building a Next-Gen Digital Targeting Network
At its core, Project ASGARD connects a battlefield-wide digital web integrating:
- Artillery and long-range fires
- Aircraft and loitering munitions
- Uncrewed systems and AI algorithms
- Advanced comms tech like Trellisware MANET and Anduril’s Lattice OS
Over 850 soldiers were connected via Samsung smartphones, achieving seamless voice and data interoperability across NATO allies.
Industrial Collaboration at Scale
The project already includes 17 prominent technology partners such as General Dynamics, Esri, Roke, IBM, Anduril, CGI, and Mind Foundry. These firms are co-developing ASGARD’s underlying software and hardware stack to ensure open, scalable, and modular growth.
Future plans include incorporating Dragonfire high-energy lasers and AI-driven drone swarms capable of both kinetic and non-kinetic strikes.
Tactical Edge Meets Strategic Depth
British Army CTO David Williams emphasized ASGARD’s role in transforming forward-deployed forces in Estonia from a “tripwire” to a full-fledged “strategic asset.” The goal is a tenfold increase in lethality by 2035, with significant milestones in 2027 and 2030.
The MoD’s new Task Force Rapstone is also leveraging ASGARD to rapidly design and field consumable technologies, utilizing a “mission partnering” approach with specific OEMs for each formation across the service.
“We need to exploit technology including drones and robotics,” said Maj. Gen. Alex Turner, citing lessons from Ukraine where 80% of battlefield damage now comes from low-cost, dual-use tools.
ASGARD is not just a tech project; it represents a shift in British military doctrine; focusing on speed, distributed decision-making, and industrial-scale adaptability.
