NATO to test 5G capabilities in Latvia with virtual reality and drones
Latvia will host an exercise during which allied forces will assess the prospects of using 5G networks for military applications.
NATO’s Transformation Command, which is responsible for the digitalization of the alliance, has agreed with Latvia to test the capabilities of the 5G data network for military purposes at the country’s military training ground, C4ISRNET portal reports. The experiment is to be conducted in October at the Adazhi military base to evaluate the latest research initiatives of the alliance and the tactical capabilities of the 5G communications network.
“The tests will use virtual and augmented reality, unmanned vehicles, sensors and applications in the 5G tactical bubble,” the military said. “These tests should provide insight into the extent to which 5G networks are capable of providing ultra-reliable, low-latency connections for NATO’s communications and information systems.”
The Adazhi test site for next-generation telecommunications networks was built three years ago and is the first of its kind in Europe. This will be the second test of 5G capabilities. Last year, with the support of the Latvian Ministry of Defense, NATO troops tested augmented and virtual reality software integrated with 5G to pilot autonomous vehicles from a distance.
Photo: US Army
By 2030, the goals of NATO’s digital transformation plan are to enable the Alliance to conduct and transition to multisectoral missions, ensure interoperability, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. The development of 5G networks in the civilian sector is of great interest to the military for its use in controlling equipment and transmitting information among units. Compared to 4G, the new technology has a much higher data rate, which means that such networks are much more functional for military use by minimizing vulnerabilities due to lower signal latency.
The importance of integrating the 5G standard in NATO armies is particularly important because the United States does not want to fall behind China. Today, many experts believe that China has outpaced the US in the 5G wireless market, C4ISRNET reports.
“While the U.S. needs to invest in military modernization to deter China, we also need to become a major player in the 5G wireless industry,” said General Laura Richardson, commander of the U.S. Southern Command. “Sharing information between military allies using the 5G network is absolutely essential, but it is even more important to rely on a fully secure network,” she added.
