
Lockheed Martin and open telecom solutions provider Radisys have reached an agreement to help advance the development and deployment of 5G.MIL network capabilities.
The enterprise agreement, established by the partners, centres on the open radio access network (O-RAN) software usage in Lockheed Martin 5G.MIL products.
It also focuses on critical capabilities development, including 5G-enabled wireless relay and integrated access and backhaul.
Lockheed and Radisys are currently working on fast tracking 5G capabilities into the existing 5G.MIL hybrid base station for use in military tactical networks.
Lockheed Martin 5G.MIL Programs vice-president Dan Rice said: “With key collaborators such as Radisys, we can accelerate development and deployment of 5G.MIL network capabilities that benefit our defence and national security customers.
“Resilient mesh communications create a network effect that raises the deterrence capability of US and coalition forces, while improving battlefield effectiveness, should deterrence fail.”
Radisys’ ‘connect 5G software’ suite complies with 3GPP Release 16. It delivers improvements in ‘capacity, coverage, latency, mobility and reliability’ to support the 5G applications’ requirements.
Radisys and Lockheed previously worked together to deliver crucial technology to support the commercial ‘LTE-over-satellite’ system.
Radisys Software and Services Business head Munish Chhabra said: “Lockheed Martin’s expertise building systems and platforms that operate in the toughest environments matches our decades-long commitment to connect the furthest stretches of the world together.
“By providing access to our industry-leading connect RAN protocol software that is compliant to 3GPP specification and O-RAN architectures, we are helping to enable Lockheed Martin to develop 5G.MIL solutions aligned to their customers’ specific requirements.”
In October this year, Lockheed Martin test-fired its latest long-range PrSM missile for the fifth time.