Lockheed Martin Successfully Hosts Advanced 5G.MIL® Capabilities on Flight Ready Hardware

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin and Intel have achieved a significant milestone by integrating a 5G Core and Open Radio Access Network into Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station. This integration enhances information dominance for the Department of Defense, enabling resilient data routing for future missions. The demonstration showcased over-the-air 5G capabilities using 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, designed for tactical environments. Upcoming crewed-uncrewed flight tests are planned as part of Project Carrera, focusing on improving military communications.

Positive

• Successful integration of 5G Core and O-RAN into 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station, enhancing military communications.
• Demonstrated over-the-air 5G connectivity using Intel Xeon processors in tactical environments.
• Positions Lockheed Martin for upcoming crewed-uncrewed flight tests as part of Project Carrera.

Negative

• None.

Advanced 5G.MIL^® connectivity, powered by Intel, drives information dominance for DoD

PALMDALE, Calif., Nov. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

The Big Picture

Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Intel accomplished an industry first by successfully integrating a 5G Core and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) into Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station (HBS), providing decisive information dominance to operators across domains. By integrating Intel's FlexRAN reference architecture and Intel Xeon Scalable processors into a 3U tactical chassis, Lockheed Martin implemented open system communications gateway capabilities on flyable hardware using established modular open system architecture and 5G commercial standards. Working within a family of common open architectures ensures products and solutions are drop-in ready with no vendor lock.

Expert Perspectives

"The integration of 5G and military tactical radios into our Hybrid Base Station enables resilient, link-diverse data routing throughout the battlespace to make future crewed-uncrewed distributed teaming missions possible," said John G. Clark, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works^®. "The Lockheed Martin 5G.MIL^® HBS was designed using open mission systems standards so that the technology can onramp to multiple and varied platforms quickly in support of our customers' transformation vision."

"Lockheed Martin's latest innovation for HBS (Hybrid Base Station) highlights the type of highly flexible and portable data capabilities made possible by a virtualized and software-programmable architecture powered by Intel FlexRAN reference architecture and Intel Xeon processors," said Dan Rodriguez, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel's Network and Edge Solutions Group. "Our continuing collaboration on 5G.MIL showcases new abilities to strengthen DoD critical digital communications across Lockheed Martin's platforms."

Dive Deeper

By implementing the HBS within a 3U/VPX rugged form factor, Lockheed Martin demonstrated over-the-air 5G and tactical network connectivity in a laboratory environment that is capable of transitioning to military air vehicles. While most applications of 5G base station technology are data center centric, this demonstration hosted 5G O-RAN technology on ruggedized computers suitable for fighter and other aircraft, paving the way for the team to fly on any number of military platforms during upcoming crewed-uncrewed distributed teaming flight tests.

The demonstration also leveraged 3^rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, which are designed to provide the greatest performance per watt. These processors enable a low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) solution required by platforms operating at the tactical edge, significantly reducing the amount of hardware required to perform the same functionality.

What's Next?

This 3U/VPX HBS integration success positions the team for crewed-uncrewed flight testing next year as part of Lockheed Martin's Project Carrera. Additionally, Lockheed Martin and Intel continue to explore how to best bridge current applications of 5G commercial stacks with military datalinks to bring the most capable, resilient communications solutions to the Department of Defense. This includes next generation software defined radios capable of commercial 5G, as well as future waveform implementations to meet the objectives of crewed-uncrewed teaming. These advancements pave the way for operators to have greater connectivity, faster and more reliable networks, and enhanced interoperability in support of Joint All Domain Operations. 

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.

Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.

 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

FAQ

What is the significance of Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station?

The 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station integrates advanced 5G technology to enhance military communications and data routing capabilities.

When are the crewed-uncrewed flight tests for Lockheed Martin's 5G.MIL^® planned?

The flight tests for the 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station are scheduled for next year as part of Project Carrera.

What technology is used in the 5G.MIL^® Hybrid Base Station?

The Hybrid Base Station utilizes Intel's FlexRAN reference architecture and 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors for advanced tactical communications.

How does the integration of 5G improve military operations?

The integration allows for resilient and link-diverse data routing, facilitating crewed-uncrewed distributed teaming missions.