Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon Collaborate

In a significant advancement for defense communications, Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon have successfully integrated Nokia’s military-grade 5G solutions into Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL® Hybrid Base Station (HBS). This collaboration aims to seamlessly merge commercial 5G networks with military communication systems, enhancing data accessibility and operational effectiveness for defense operations.

John Clark, senior vice president of Lockheed Martin Technology & Strategic Innovation, emphasized the importance of this integration, stating, “The United States and its allies increasingly depend on fast, secure and advanced communications to access critical information and ensure effective deterrence against threats.” He added that partnerships like this with Nokia and Verizon are crucial for seamless data routing across the battlespace, ensuring mission success.

The integration process involved rigorous testing across multiple facilities. Initial phases utilized Nokia’s 5G equipment at Verizon’s Boston Innovation Center and Lockheed Martin’s Valley Forge laboratory in Pennsylvania. Subsequent system integration and demonstrations occurred at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. These tests successfully combined traditional tactical communications with 5G technology using open systems architecture and commercial standards, facilitating rapid incorporation of new capabilities without vendor lock-in risks.

A notable aspect of the demonstration was the HBS’s connectivity to hybrid user equipment (HUE), enabling users to switch between commercial 5G and tactical low-probability-of-detection waveforms without interrupting application sessions. This flexibility is vital for maintaining secure and reliable communications in various operational scenarios.

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Looking ahead, the collaboration plans to integrate Nokia’s 5G technology into Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL Experimental Network site in Orlando, Florida, complementing existing Verizon capabilities. This ongoing partnership aims to refine and expand hybrid network testing, incorporating diverse user devices and ensuring secure public-private network configurations. The ultimate goal is to provide military operators with enhanced connectivity, faster and more reliable wireless networks, and improved interoperability to support Joint All Domain Operations.

This initiative underscores the commitment of Lockheed Martin, Nokia, and Verizon to leverage cutting-edge 5G technology, bolstering national defense capabilities and ensuring that military communications are robust, secure, and adaptable to the evolving demands of modern warfare.

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