The clamor for more bandwidth for military use grows louder all the time, especially as 5G [fifth-generation wireless] networks promise to boost access to mission-critical communications, improve virtual reality/augmented reality tools for troops, and better support autonomous vehicles. In fact, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), in its May 2020 report outlining the government’s 5G strategy, called 5G broadband a “critical strategic technology” that the U.S. telecommunications industry must master so as to gain “long-term economic and military advantage.”

ATLANTA. Communications company Envistacom has won a three-year, $235 million contract to supply communications and IT infrastructure support services for services under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

WICHITA, Kansas. Students at Wichita State University (WSU) have become the first in Kansas with the opportunity to learn how to solve real-world national defense challenges as part of the Hacking for Defense (H4D) program, as WSU joins the FirePoint Innovations Center and WSU’s Masters of Innovation Design program.

ARLINGTON, Va. A U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) unmanned surface vessel (USV) -- part of the Ghost Fleet Overlord autonomous-vessel partnership between the DoD's Strategic Capabilities Office and the U.S. Navy -- recently traveled a distance of more than 4,700 nautical miles (5,409 miles), almost entirely autonomously. After this transit the ship participated in an exercise called "Dawn Blitz," where it again spent nearly all of its time operating autonomously. 

WASHINGTON. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) approved and released a new strategy to lead and direct counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) activities across the military services, which is intended to provide the framework for addressing sUAS hazards and threats in operating environments including the United States, host nations, and contingency locations.

BETHESDA, Md. The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a two-year contract modification worth $101.5 million to perform F-35 Lightning II aircraft sustainment and day-to-day flight support work for the British defense ministry.

ARMONK, N.Y. IBM has entered into a Phase 1 Other Transactions Agreement with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to support advancing U.S. microelectronics technology.