Lockheed Martin, Verizon pioneer 5G streaming for US Department of Defense

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (NYSE: LMT) and Verizon (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) have marked a significant advancement in military technology by demonstrating 5G streaming for real-time visualization content on edge computing devices. This collaboration is a key step in advancing the US Department of Defense (DOD) sustainment missions, focusing on critical latency interactions in complex visualization applications like augmented, virtual, or extended reality experiences.

Key Technological Advancements in the Collaboration

The partnership has successfully validated three essential technology areas:

1. Implementation of 5G at the edge for latency-critical interactions of complex visualization applications.
2. Streaming of real-time, intricate 3D visualization content.
3. Effective streaming to various edge compute devices, including tablets, mobiles, Head Mounted Displays (HMDs), and more.

These technological leaps forward support Lockheed Martin’s “Maintainer as a Node” concept, where connected maintainers receive all necessary information efficiently in a latency-sensitive environment.

5G Meets Defense: Lockheed Martin and Verizon’s Latest Collaboration Enhances DOD Sustainment Missions. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Marc O’Brien Highlights the Future of Streaming in Defense

Marc O’Brien, the senior manager of Virtual Prototyping at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, emphasizes the importance of streaming technologies in modern defense applications. “Streaming is the future, and through our strategic collaboration with Verizon, we’re advancing crucial 21st Century Security technologies that drive speed, efficiency, quality, and reliability where our customers need it most,” he stated.

Practical Applications and Demonstrations

In the current year, the focus of Lockheed Martin and Verizon has been on content streaming for sustainment use cases, where advanced visualization capabilities play a crucial role. This includes:

• Deployment of 3D step-based work instructions.
• Augmented/virtual/extended reality content deployment.
• Remote desktop for high-end, real-time, 3D application scenarios.
• Remote assistance and other graphically intensive 3D applications.

The collaboration demonstrated a multi-user, augmented reality experience streaming a large 3D CAD airspace engine in real-time across multiple geolocations. The primary display device was a HoloLens, utilizing Holo-Light’s streaming platform and Verizon 5G Edge with AWS Wavelength over Verizon’s 5G network.

Chris Halton on Verizon’s Role in Military Tech Advancement

Chris Halton, vice president of Product Strategy and Innovation at Verizon, shared insights on the partnership’s impact. “This effort demonstrates how Verizon’s partnership with Lockheed Martin leverages the immense capabilities of 5G and edge computing to transform data streaming and AR experiences to produce advanced capabilities for military sustainment operations,” he said.

Broader Collaboration for 5G.MIL Data-Sharing Applications

This demonstration is part of a broader initiative between Lockheed Martin and Verizon to advance critical 5G.MIL data-sharing applications for the DOD. This partnership aims to improve security, resiliency, interoperability, and performance, combining commercial and government-driven technology. It’s a prime example of Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security vision to rapidly deliver game-changing capabilities to U.S. military customers.