Upcoming military tests aim to demonstrate 5G shared-spectrum communications for new breed of applications

Dec. 3, 2019
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Naval Base San Diego; and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga. to test 5G.

WASHINGTON – Officials of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) say they plan to use a base in each of the military service branches to probe how DOD could use emerging 5G wireless services and infrastructure. Defense Systems reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

3 Dec. 2019 -- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Naval Base San Diego; and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga. will be the first military installations to help DOD set the stage for possible future uses of 5G technology.

DOD officials have chosen the five bases to streamline access to technologies and facilities vital to 5G -- including local spectrum bands, mature fiber optic cable, wireless infrastructure, and shared-spectrum capabilities.

DOD officials say they will issue final requests for proposals this month, along with an industry day. However, the launch of procurements for the communications program hinge on Congress approving 2020 appropriations.

Related: Electromagnetic spectrum sharing among radar and communications systems moving forward

Related: Military setting-up plans for large-scale 5G experiments

Related: Sub-6 GHz 5G Updates (5G NR)

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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