Federated Wireless, headquartered in Arlington, VA, announced a significant milestone in defense logistics. Its innovative private 5G networking technology is now under a 42-month sustainment contract valued at over $6 million with the Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM) at the Albany, GA, logistics hub. Developed in collaboration with technology partners including JMA Wireless, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Shared Spectrum, this deployment represents the Department of Defense’s (DoD) first commercial 5G private network.
Since going live in November 2024, the private 5G network covers one million square feet of warehouse space across three “massive” buildings, Federated Wireless CEO Iyad Tarazi tells Inside Towers. The network comprises 100 base station radios supplied by JMA Wireless. Tarazi explains these radios utilize the full 150 MHz of the unlicensed General Authorized Access portion of the 3.5 GHz CBRS spectrum. The system has a throughput capacity of 40 Gbps and supports a variety of mobile devices including robotics, smartphones and tablets, network routers and cameras.
Federated Wireless says JMA Wireless’ O-RAN and xRAN technology enables dynamic network management, providing the flexibility required for a DoD logistics environment. The radios are deployed inside the three warehouses buildings along with some outdoor coverage.
The brains of the DoD private 5G network is the proven and flexible HPE Aruba Networking 5G Core that can be deployed in the cloud, hybrid, or on-premises to meet the strict security requirements of the DoD. Tarazi points out that the HPE core is currently deployed on the base but that it can be migrated to the cloud in remote data centers as requirements evolve.
“This 5G network gives our logistics teams an unprecedented level of accuracy, efficiency and flexibility in real-time data access, which translates into faster and more effective support for our Marine Corps units,” said Dan Elzie, Deputy Commander for the Marine Force Storage Command. “By combining existing DoD spectrum assets with cutting edge technology and capabilities, we look forward to leading the way in harnessing CBRS-based private 5G to achieve the goal of increased mission readiness and optimized resource allocation.”
Prior to the 5G network installation, the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany faced costly and complex fiber optic deployments and underperforming Wi-Fi systems due to challenging physical environments.
Seven years ago, through the National Spectrum Consortium, the DoD issued Requests for Prototype Proposals to develop wireless network solutions, ultimately awarding a $16.2 million contract to Federated Wireless to design and implement a private 5G network that modernizes the base’s operations.
The contract also covers project management, cybersecurity, test evaluation, and lifecycle technical support to guarantee network security and seamless integration with USMC networks. Tarazi says that any wireless network deployed in these applications must exhibit that it is “operationally capable and security positive.” Federated Wireless’ designs met those criteria.
Tarazi says now that the LOGCOM deployment is live and meets the DoD’s Authority to Operate or ATO, the private 5G network design will serve as a template for future DoD logistics modernization efforts.
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
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