The fifth-generation cellular network technology called 5G provides broadband access and is designed to greatly improve the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks. The faster transmission speeds and lower latency provided by 5G can enhance a variety of military applications, including autonomous vehicles, sensor networks, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. It can change the defense landscape by transmitting and receiving large amounts of data instantaneously.
The US Department of Defense is compiling a list of bases for testing-and eventually deploying-5G capabilities. The Pentagon's research and engineering team is building use cases for the technology and determining which bases are best for testing and ultimately using these features.
"One of the things we want to do is not just go there to experiment and pull it out, but actually leave a capability where the foundation can continue to be used from a 5G perspective," Deasy said.
However, there are security issues in the supply chain, especially when it involves companies such as Huawei and has connections with US opponents. Dishe said that although the United States is not necessarily at a disadvantage, it needs to consider building more things at home.
"All forms of telecommunications will become part of the global market," Disch said, commenting on Huawei's seemingly dominant 5G market. "There are some international players and we are worried that I think this is not the end of a game-I think our game here is too late... we will keep jumping."
It is still possible to see how well the defense system coexists with the largest ever cellular wireless communication network. With the popularity of 5G signals, 5G signal jammer will also usher in a huge market.