Emerging technology

Lockheed Martin to Use Keysight Testbed to Explore Military 5G Applications

Lockheed Martin has enlisted the help of Keysight Technologies to explore applications of 5G technology in aerospace and defense communications.

Keysight will use its portfolio of mobile network testing and optimization tools to support Lockheed’s 5G .MIL, which is aimed at supporting the Department of Defense’s joint all-domain operations.

The 5G .MIL program seeks to leverage commercial technology to meet the DOD’s tactical communications requirements in terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, Lockheed said.

Dan Rice, Lockheed’s vice president for 5G .MIL, said that Keysight’s 5G test platforms are widely used commercially and are fit to meet the strict requirements of the defense industry.

Lockheed added that Keysight’s 5G testbed reached initial operating capability in July. The platform is expected to help 5G .MIL developers validate interoperability and performance of a wide range of 5G assets.

Since July, Lockheed and Keysight have reportedly been working on validating 5G Open Radio Access Network and Non-Terrestrial Network communications.

Vince Nguyen, general manager for aerospace defense government solutions at Keysight, added that the successful integration of technologies like 5G, satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence and cloud is critical to the deployment of future communications systems.

Lockheed previously entered into a similar partnership with wireless networking giant Verizon to support the DOD’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control initiative.

Verizon said it will use its commercial 5G infrastructure to support the 5G.MIL program and help promote interoperability among military networks.

The two companies had already conducted a joint demonstration of a private 5G network at Lockheed’s 5G test range in Colorado prior to Verizon’s announcement.