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The companies have agreed to collaborate to develop new 5G-enabled battlefield communications capability.
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Global defence giant Northrop Grumman and US-based telecommunications company AT&T have entered into a collaboration agreement to research and develop a digital battle network for the US Department of Defense.
The capability is expected to leverage AT&T 5G and Northrop Grumman’s advanced mission systems.
Specifically, the companies have committed to delivering a cost-effective, scalable, open architecture solution designed to enable DoD to connect distributed sensors, shooters and data from all domains, terrains and forces.
The network is tipped to integrate high speeds, low latency and cyber security protections of private 5G networks, while also supporting Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
The agreement involves the establishment of a joint research and development framework to prototype, demonstrate and test AT&T’s commercial 5G networking capabilities integrated with Northrop Grumman systems.
“Our collaboration with AT&T brings together some of the best capabilities in defence and commercial communications to meet the evolving requirements of JADC2,” Ben Davies, vice-president and general manager, networked information solutions division, Northrop Grumman said.
“The enhanced connectivity and networking of information that 5G provides are a great advantage in a military environment and will help the DoD in the development of high-performing and intuitive technologies that quickly and seamlessly share data across a myriad of secure networks.”
Lance Spencer, client executive vice-president - defence, AT&T Public Sector and FirstNet, said the company’s 5G capabilities can help the Department of Defense achieve operational and information advantages.
“By bringing our 5G services together with Northrop Grumman’s powerful avionics and defence systems, we expect to create an ideal platform to deliver DoD’s JADC2 vision,” Spencer said.
[Related: Northrop Grumman IBCS completes US Army flight tests]
