[Scan-DC] Harris Open RAN prototype at Fort Bliss

[Alan Henney]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOD Awards Project to Develop Open Radio Access Network Prototype at Fort
Bliss

NOV. 4, 2024

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the award of a contract in
the amount of $6,514,697.51 to Hughes Network Systems, LLC for the
development of an Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) prototype at Fort
Bliss, Texas. Open RAN offers DoD greater choice, resiliency, and
innovation. The 5G Open RAN prototype equipment will be installed on Fort
Bliss to operate a temporary network for evaluation purposes, which will
then transition to serve as part of the Hughes' commercial network
supporting both DoD and commercial customers in and around Fort Bliss. The
project is a joint effort of the U.S. Army, the DoD Chief Information
Officer (CIO), and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)).

Open RAN allows components from different vendors — including radio,
hardware, and software — to be interoperable on the same platform.
Modularity in the RAN allows agility and promotes supply chain security,
vendor competition, and, ultimately, innovation and cost efficiencies. Open
RAN's ecosystem provides numerous benefits to DoD including increased
functionality and scalability of 5G wireless networks, incorporation of
artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) into DoD systems, and
greater flexibility in acquiring or replacing the software and hardware
used in military equipment.

Specifically, Open RAN and the ability to exert near-real time control over
the RAN, via a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), enables strategic
advantages to the warfighter. The primary use case that the Fort Bliss
prototype will test through the RIC is the ability to rapidly change
spectrum at the 5G control node, a capability that has real world relevance
to resilient communications for a mobile command post.

"The Open RAN project at Fort Bliss is a valuable opportunity for the DoD
to explore the enhanced command and control capabilities that near-real
time control of the RAN offers DoD. The DoD CIO will continue to prioritize
the deployment of Open RAN architectures and 5G across the Department,
leveraging these information communications technologies for strategic
warfighter advantage," said Mr. Anthony Smith, DoD CIO's Acting Deputy
Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, & Communications.

The scope of the Open RAN project at Fort Bliss is designed to meet key
strategic milestones that support FY 2024 National Defense Authorization
Act requirements and DoD initiatives to diversify supply chain. It will
also improve Army processes for enabling MNO access to installations. This
initiative will serve as a testing ground for developing new Open RAN RIC
tactical applications, developing footprints for other installations, and
establishing a training site for both civilian and military technical
staff. The Army will also evaluate policies and network architecture
standards that leverage commercially interchangeable and vendor agnostic
solutions to enhance the Army Unified Network.