The use of 5G technology in the military is not a matter of if but when and thanks to the partnership between the Marine Corps and Verizon, one branch is getting a definitive boost. The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California will be launching a “living lab” to test, experiment, and innovate ways that the Department of Defense (DoD) and the military can implement 5G into their operations. 5G is going to play a major part in virtually every industry and the military is expecting big things from the latest method of communication. From testing to security to logistics and more, 5G will transform the way military branches operate.
“This is a critical step to accelerate the nation’s 5G aspirations,” said the Director of Technology and Partnerships for the Marine Corps Installation Next Program, Lt. Col. Brandon Newell. “This effort is critical to national security. The establishment of this 5G living lab expedites the nation’s ability to leverage 5G for national defense.”
MCAS Miramar is the first military base in the United States that has access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband service that will be used to provide a place for collaboration and innovation between the DoD and the private sector; however, while MCAS Miramar may be the first base with access to Verizon’s 5G network, this is far from the first step into testing the possibilities of 5G. Seeing how 5G works concerning security on base, vehicles, drones, and fields of energy management are at the forefront of the base’s objective.
In early June, the DoD and the Pentagon decided to focus on experimenting with 5G for both military and commercial applications across seven new military bases. The actual number has risen to 12 bases with 5G testing after the DoD expanded these operations throughout a host of military bases across the country. The moves come at a time in which Congress is helping advance the use of 5G technology thanks to legislation that will help improve security for the Pentagon’s infrastructure.
Working together, these departments will report and analyze the findings involving the use of 5G technology. Notably, it will be interesting to see how programs such as these collaborative labs expand across other military bases with a focus on the newest branch of America’s military, the U.S. Space Force. One of the main objectives of the Space Force will be to protect the United State’s lines of communication, particularly, 5G technology.
The wave of 5G will usher in a variety of enhancements in many sectors with the empowerment of the Internet of Things, improved logistics that impact the private and public sectors, communications within the military, and tons more. Getting familiar with this technology as early as possible could help American Forces maintain the upper hand and protect American interests from threats both foreign and domestic.
Source: MeriTalk