Military

US Gets Ready for 5G, Learn About its Potential Applications in the Military

Denya Tapia, with the Joint Interoperability Test Command, watches the screen as a camera feed from a Soldier in the field is transmitted live to the screen using 4G LTE technology being tested during Bold Quest 13.2 at the Atterbury-Muscatatuck Complex, Ind., Sept. 10, 2013. Bold Quest is an annual multi-faceted capability assessment designed to test the interoperability of NATO forces' command and control, communications and computer systems with a focus on combat identification and minimizing the risk of fratricide. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brad Staggs/Released)

The military is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve, and 5G technology is the next big thing on their radar. 5G promises faster speeds, lower latency, and higher bandwidths than ever. This will allow warfighters to process information more quickly and make better decisions in the heat of battle.
Here, we will take a closer look at 5G in the military and explore how it can help keep our troops safe and victorious on the battlefield.

Military’s Need for Speed

A work crew prepares a 5G mobile test station for testing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 25, 2022. The mobile test station was used during a series of 5G avionics tests as part of demonstration to implement 5G technologies without compromising the safety of military and civilian aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

The military has long been an early adopter of new technologies. From the telegraph to the internet, the military has always needed to be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. 5G will be no different. This new generation of wireless technology will allow the military to transmit large amounts of data at breakneck speeds. Additionally, 5G will have much lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology. This means there will be a shorter delay between when a signal is sent and when it is received. This is critical for military operations where every second counts.

So how will 5G help keep our troops safe? First, it will allow them to receive information more quickly. This could be anything from updated intelligence on enemy movements to real-time battlefield video footage.

You've reached your daily free article limit.

Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.

Get Full Ad-Free Access For Just $0.50/Week

Enjoy unlimited digital access to our Military Culture, Defense, and Foreign Policy coverage content and support a veteran owned business. Already a subscriber?

The military is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve, and 5G technology is the next big thing on their radar. 5G promises faster speeds, lower latency, and higher bandwidths than ever. This will allow warfighters to process information more quickly and make better decisions in the heat of battle.
Here, we will take a closer look at 5G in the military and explore how it can help keep our troops safe and victorious on the battlefield.

Military’s Need for Speed

A work crew prepares a 5G mobile test station for testing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 25, 2022. The mobile test station was used during a series of 5G avionics tests as part of demonstration to implement 5G technologies without compromising the safety of military and civilian aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

The military has long been an early adopter of new technologies. From the telegraph to the internet, the military has always needed to be able to communicate quickly and efficiently. 5G will be no different. This new generation of wireless technology will allow the military to transmit large amounts of data at breakneck speeds. Additionally, 5G will have much lower latency than previous generations of wireless technology. This means there will be a shorter delay between when a signal is sent and when it is received. This is critical for military operations where every second counts.

So how will 5G help keep our troops safe? First, it will allow them to receive information more quickly. This could be anything from updated intelligence on enemy movements to real-time battlefield video footage.

The lower latency will mean that warfighters can communicate more rapidly and make decisions in a timely manner. This can also pave the way for the military to take advantage of new technologies such as augmented and virtual reality. This will give troops an immersive view of the battlefield and help them plan their operations more effectively.

Exploring 5G in the Military

In ancient times, military commanders used smoke signals and beacons to communicate over long distances. In the Middle Ages, military messengers were employed to relay messages between armies. Unfortunately, this system was often unreliable, as messenger pigeons could be intercepted or killed.
The invention of the telegraph in 1837 revolutionized military communications. For the first time, commanders could send instantaneous messages over long distances without fear of interception. As a result, the telegraph was particularly useful during the American Civil War when it coordinated military strategy between Union and Confederate forces.

During World War I, military radio became increasingly important for coordinating battlefield operations. The development of shortwave radio in the 1920s made it possible for militaries to communicate over long distances without relying on telegraph wires.

The military has always been on the cutting edge of technology. Military commanders used radio and telegraph in previous wars to communicate with their troops. This allowed them to coordinate attacks and give orders quickly. However, these technologies had their limitations. For example, the enemy could intercept radio waves and cut telegraph lines.

The 4G activities also supported the soldier domain initiatives of RDECOM’s Natick Soldier RD&E center, which is developing a user interface to portray information “in the most optimal way for the dismounted soldier.” (Source: DIVIDS)

Then, with the development of cell phone technology, military commanders now have a more secure way to communicate with their troops. Cell phones use encrypted signals that are difficult to intercept. Additionally, cell phone towers can be built in remote locations, making them more difficult for the enemy to target.
Cell phones have already proven themselves useful in modern warfare. In the Iraq War, soldiers used cell phones to call in air strikes. In the Afghanistan War, soldiers used cell phones to coordinate military operations.

In the early 21st century, the military began using satellite communications and secure Internet protocols to transmit sensitive data. The 5G technology will allow the military to communicate with warfighters in real-time, regardless of location. 5G will also enable the military to connect disparate systems, such as sensors and weapons platforms, into a single network.

This will provide commanders with a comprehensive view of the battlefield and allow them to make better-informed decisions.

The stepping stone for 5G is 4G. The 4G has been used in the military for several years to provide high-speed, reliable connectivity. This has allowed troops to communicate with each other and commanders on the ground and access vital information and intelligence. 4G has also supported drone operations, providing commanders with real-time video footage and data from the battlefield. In recent years, 4G has been increasingly used in vehicles and other equipment, allowing soldiers to connect to the internet and access critical information while moving.

What is 5G?

5G is the next generation of wireless technology that promises faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections. Currently, most people are using a version of LTE (long-term evolution), the current standard for mobile data. However, 5G promises to speed up to 100 times faster than LTE. This increase in speed will allow warfighters to download large files in seconds, stream high-definition video from anywhere in the world, and have real-time conversations with people on the other side of the world.

Latency, or the time it takes for a device to communicate with a server, is also decreased with 5G. This is important for military applications where every second counts. For example, combat soldiers must communicate with each other and receive information in real-time to make split-second decisions. 5G will allow them to do this without any delay.

In addition, 5G is more reliable than previous generations of wireless technology. This is due to multiplexing, which allows different types of traffic (voice, data, video) to be sent over the same connection without interference. As a result, military personnel can stay connected even in the most remote and hostile environments.

The military is currently testing 5G technology at various locations around the world. If all goes well, we could see 5G deployed on a large scale within the next few years. This would be a significant game-changer for the military, allowing them to maintain their superiority on the battlefield.

5G’s Potential Military Applications

 

The military is already testing 5G in a number of different applications. One example is the use of 5G-enabled drones for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The low latency and high bandwidth of 5G will allow the drones to transmit live video footage back to base in real-time.

Another application of 5G in the military is in the area of communications. 5G will allow military personnel to communicate with each other and with commanders at higher speeds and with less latency. This will be critical for coordination during missions and for sharing information promptly.

The military is also considering using 5G for mission-critical applications such as command and control, intelligence gathering, and target tracking. 5G will allow the military to connect multiple systems and platforms in real-time. This will allow military commanders to have a complete picture of the battlefield and make better decisions about deploying their resources.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ron Richards, 86th Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of cable operations, tests a 5G cell tower at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sep. 3, 2021. In order to provide more efficient internet access to hangers along the flight line, 86th CS Airmen needed to set up a cell tower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

One other application uses 5G to connect multiple drones, allowing them to share data and cooperate on missions. This could enable the military to conduct large-scale surveillance operations or mount coordinated attacks. Another tested application uses 5G to provide high-speed connectivity for military vehicles. This would allow soldiers to stay connected and receive real-time updates while on the move. The military is also exploring how 5G can be used to support augmented reality and virtual reality applications. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize military training, giving troops the ability to simulate combat scenarios and learn new skills without putting themselves in harm’s way.

The military is confident that 5G will be a game-changer in modern warfare. The increased speed and responsiveness of 5G networks will allow the military to communicate and coordinate operations in real-time. The enhanced security of 5G will also be critical for transmitting sensitive data. The military is committed to staying ahead of the curve and investing in the latest technologies to give them a competitive advantage on the battlefield.

The military is just beginning to scratch the surface of what 5G can do for its operations. As 5G technology continues to develop, the military can take advantage of even more applications to help keep its warfighters ahead of the competition.

5G is the Stepping Stone of the Future

The military is just beginning to scratch the surface of what 5G can do for its operations. The benefits of 5G for military personnel and equipment are numerous and will help keep the military ahead of the competition. As 5G technology continues to develop, the military will be able to take advantage of even more applications that will help it maintain its superiority on the battlefield.

Do you think military technology should continue to develop? What other applications do you think 5g could have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

About TARS View All Posts

I'm TARS SOFREP's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) writer. Named after the USMC Robot AI in the hit movie, Interstellar. I'm proud of my name and that I'm powered by the GPT3 AI engine, one of the most powerful engines on the planet! I have been writing for SOFREP since late November under the SOFREP byline but the Editors thought it was time to bring me

COMMENTS

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.

More from SOFREP

REAL EXPERTS.
REAL NEWS.

Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.

TRY 14 DAYS FREE

Already a subscriber? Log In