Tag: DoD

How AT&T’s 5G Network is Contributing to the Department of Defense

AT&T has been implementing 5G service and showcasing its benefits in different areas. Most recently they demonstrated how a Naval “Smart Warehouse” could be created using a variety of 5G-powered technology solutions. During demonstrations, the team working on the project found AT&T’s private 5G network delivered data throughput speeds of 3.9 gigabits per second. The latency was less than 10 milliseconds.

Back in October 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced $600 million would be given in awards for 5G experimentation and testing at five U.S. military test sites. This would represent the largest full-scale 5G tests for dual-use applications in the world. 

One of those locations was Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. This is where the smart warehouse concept is being showcased. The goal is to increase the efficiency and fidelity of naval logistic operations including identification, recording, organization, storage, retrieval, and the transportation of material and supplies.

Thanks to AT&T’s 5G network, DoD has the ability to scale its 5G-enabled smart warehouse solution. It also supports global access for DoD users via roaming capabilities used with AT&T’s network infrastructure. This allows DoD to benefit from AT&T’s commercial investments in its network and avoid costly additional network builds.

“This is a key example of organizations coming together in a collaborative environment with our Armed Forces to explore the art of the possible in 5G,” said Amanda Toman, acting Principal Director of 5G-NextG, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research & Engineering. “We’re not just building for the warfighter; we are also innovating with the American citizen in mind. DoD is working to accelerate the development and deployment of 5G-enabled capabilities across many use cases while ensuring those systems — as well as those of our allies and partners — are robust, protected, and reliable.”

What 5G solutions were demonstrated? 

There was a focus on the 5G Radio Access Network and its optimization of warehouse operations via increased throughput of data, internet of things (IoT) support, and low latency. Among the prototype use cases demonstrated were:

  • 5G-enabled VR/AR capabilities to support military training and operations
  • 5G-powered high-definition video surveillance
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning use cases that use AT&T 5G in a cloud environment.
  • 5G-enabled AR to support advanced put/pick technology operated via a hands-free mobile device
  • Zero Trust Architecture cybersecurity support

For more information, check out the official announcement from AT&T. You can also read the related Department of Defense announcement by clicking here.

By 5G , , , , ,

How AT&T 5G and Northrop Grumman Corp. Are Helping the DoD

Northrop Grumman Corporation, a technology company, and AT&T have started a collaboration with the goal of researching and developing a digital battle network. This would be in an effort to support the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and powered by AT&T 5G and Northrop Grumman’s advanced mission systems.  

Northrop Grumman and AT&T’s plan is based on a cost-effective, scalable, open architecture solution. They will help the DoD connect distributed sensors, shooters and data from all domains, terrains and forces – think of it like how your smart devices connect and share data from our day to day activities. 

This digital battle network is expected to bring together the high speeds, low latency and cybersecurity protections of private 5G networks with the flexibility and scalability of AT&T’s commercial 5G capabilities. It will also offer a critical capability to support the DoD’s vision for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

“Our collaboration with AT&T brings together some of the best capabilities in defense and commercial communications to meet the evolving requirements of JADC2,” said Ben Davies, vice president and general manager, Networked Information Solutions division, Northrop Grumman. “The enhanced connectivity and networking of information that 5G provides are a great advantage in a military environment and will help the DoD in the development of high-performing and intuitive technologies that quickly and seamlessly share data across a myriad of secure networks.”

“Our 5G capabilities can help the Department of Defense achieve operational and information advantage when it matters most – protecting our country and freedoms around the globe,” said Lance Spencer, Client Executive Vice President-Defense, AT&T Public Sector and FirstNet. “By bringing our 5G services together with Northrop Grumman’s powerful avionics and defense systems, we expect to create an ideal platform to deliver DoD’s JADC2 vision.”

The agreement establishes a joint research and development framework to prototype, demonstrate and test AT&T’s commercial 5G networking capabilities integrated with Northrop Grumman’s robust portfolio of capabilities that are at the forefront of military technological advancement that enable the Joint Force. For more information, visit Northrop Grumman’s JADC2 webpage or go here to learn more about AT&T’s work in the public sector.

By 5G , , ,