RTX’s BBN division will lead a team to create multi-hop mobile ad hoc networks for the Defense Department.
The Opportunistic eXtemporarY 5G Encrypted Network capability is developed under a contract with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s FutureG and 5G Office.
It has a potential value of $6.6 million over two years and aims to connect at least 20 pieces of user equipment with 5G’s sidelink technology, while enabling the transmission of data at 100 Mbps.
Ultimately, this technology will enable deployed service members with 5G equipment to communicate without the need for a complex 5G infrastructure.
“Our warfighters use existing infrastructure like roads and bridges when they’re forward deployed now,” said Dr. Daniel Massey, program lead for the FutureG & 5G Office’s Operate Through team.
“Why shouldn’t we use existing communications infrastructure as well? Access to a 5G MANET allows us to move from single-digit megabit per second individual data sharing, for ground soldiers to 100 times more throughput, which will enable sharing more high-resolution video and imagery.”
This technology will allow for secure, multicast traffic for communication instead of simple peer-to-peer communication.
“OXYGEN will enhance commercial cellular equipment to ensure a fully trusted and secure tactical MANET capability,” said Chris Vander Valk, research engineer at Raytheon BBN. “We’re using techniques like cryptographic scrambling, encryption of control and data traffic and secure memory compartmentalization to achieve this.”
Work on the program will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts; McLean, Virginia; Brookline, Massachusetts; and Santa Cruz, California.