MARCH 27, 2025 – The U.S. Army has released its Army Unified Network Plan 2.0. While the first AUNP, published in 2021, focused mainly on the first phase of the plan – to unifying the network – AUNP 2.0 focuses mainly on phase two and some of phase three, which are to “operationalize the Unified Network” from 2024 to2026, and to “continuously modernize and transform the Unified Network” in 2027 and beyond.
Since the publication of the first AUNP – which provided the roadmap for converging Army tactical and enterprise networks around common standards, systems and security to “reduce complexity and increase integration” across the force – global events and emerging technologies have resulted in a persistently contested information environment. As a result, a far more data-centric approach to the Army Network is needed to harness its power to fight and win during multidomain operations.
Reflecting these changes, AUNP 2.0 focuses on five lines of effort to complete the Army’s portion of the Department of Defense Information Network: 1) establish the Unified Network; 2) posture the force to support MDO; 3) ensure security and survivability based on zero trust principles; 4) transform the Army’s Unified Network investments, policy and governance; and 5) continuously improve the Unified Network.
“AUNP 2.0 is new guidance on how the warfighter actually approaches, accelerates and operationalizes the Unified Network across the board,” said Lt. Gen. Jeth Rey, the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6. “It’s going to enable multidomain operations and chart the roadmap of where we’re going for the Unified Network by 2027. It also talks about the critical enablers required to achieve a multidomain operational Army by 2030.”
AUNP 2.0 provides a path to reduce technological complexity at the edge by enhancing the Army’s ability to execute MDO; ensuring the Army’s ability to seamlessly plug in anywhere around the globe; continuing the establishment and employment of common data standards and systems for all theaters and domains by ensuring the necessary security, agility and interoperability to stay ahead of adversaries; and enabling faster, more secure data sharing with partners and allies.
“As warfare continues to evolve across multiple domains and our adversaries challenge our historical dominance, the Army’s dedication to integrating and modernizing its network infrastructure is crucial.” the AUNP 2.0’s conclusion states. “The Unified Network is essential to the future force’s success, enabling seamless and effective operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace…. The AUNP 2.0 sets a direction for technological superiority and operational readiness for an uncertain future.”
To read the Army Unified Network Plan 2.0, click here.
By Army Public Affairs