Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and US mobile carrier Verizon have partnered to integrate military-grade 5G solutions for Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL Hybrid Base Station (HBS).
Announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Nokia revealed that US defense and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed has deployed Nokia's 5G solutions into its HBS.
Lockheed's HBS is a unified network solution that provides communications, Edge processing, and advanced network capabilities for interoperable, resilient, and secure connectivity and data flow across all domains, according to its website.
The company said 5G.MIL "leverages open systems architecture, tactical gateways, and enhanced commercial technologies to enable converged hybrid networks."
Nokia added that its military-grade 5G technology makes it possible to "integrate commercial 5G connections with military communications systems to provide decisive information for national defense," and also highlights the importance of interoperability.
The vendor notes that 5G is already helping to support tactical military missions, stating that troops can use real-time data and advanced situational awareness in dynamic operational environments.
As part of the collaboration, Lockheed Martin integrated Nokia's 5G solutions into its HBS, along with Verizon's network operations and management solutions.
"Through our work with Lockheed Martin and Verizon, we are bringing the transformative power of 5G to mission-critical defense operations, enhancing situational awareness, speeding up decision-making, and reinforcing mission success,” added Tommi Uitto, president of Mobile Networks at Nokia.
Uitto added that the integration supports Open RAN and the idea of open, interoperable technology, without the risk of "vendor lock."
According to Nokia, the initial integration was completed with equipment from Nokia’s leading 5G portfolio at Verizon’s Boston Innovation Center and HBS components at Lockheed Martin’s Valley Forge laboratory in Pennsylvania.
However, the final systems integration, testing, and demonstration took place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Ft. Worth, Texas.
“The United States and its allies increasingly depend on fast, secure, and advanced communications to access critical information and ensure effective deterrence against threats. 5G.MIL integrations like this strategic relationship with Nokia and Verizon will help ensure data is seamlessly routed throughout the battlespace in ways that make future mission success possible,” said John Clark, senior vice president, Lockheed Martin technology & strategic innovation.
Nokia said the trio will continue pushing for further network integration. The vendor said it will incorporate its 5G technology at Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL experimental network site in Orlando, Florida, where Verizon’s technology is already present.
As well as Verizon, Lockheed has several other strategic technology partners, including Microsoft, Intel, Juniper, Radisys, and RedHat.
