Ubiquitous, Secure and Instant Access (USIA)
Ubiquitous, Secure, and Instant Access (USIA) leverages world-wide high availability commercial networks to deliver resilient and assured DoW communications across all operational settings. These solutions advance the diversity of DoW, coalition, and commercial options reaching the end user directly and provide wireless network risk assessment tools and mitigations that inform operational decision-making. Investment areas include the repurposing of commercial system capabilities for tactical utility, expansion of Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing technologies across commercial and coalition networks without requiring new spectrum access, and utilization of increasingly standardized capabilities in both non-terrestrial networks and high-altitude platforms to extend coverage to challenging areas and provide backup for existing areas.
Secure Connectivity Anytime, Anywhere
We Aim To:
Provide secure DoW communications for users and devices anywhere, anytime.
Exploit growing diversity of DoW, coalition partner, and commercial communication options to the end user as a mechanism to provide always-on, ultra-reliable communication.
Achieve secure global (ubiquitous) connectivity by leveraging commercial capabilities; if differences occur, security considerations are the primary distinction between DoW and commercial systems.
Assess security and provide actionable guidance for varying risks.
Highlighted Projects:
USIA focuses on delivering high availability wireless communication systems with security assurance across all DoW operational settings. These highlighted projects showcase USIA's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for enhanced connectivity:
Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing: This project seeks to identify, develop, test, and demonstrate agile and operationally relevant 5G RAN / Network Sharing solutions in DoW global areas of interest. It explores current and developing 5G RAN architectures across the globe to determine the most technically optimal and secure way to quickly access existing capabilities for DoW operational use. Small scale experimentation with end users are testing novel solutions which are then captured in the RAN Sharing Implementation Guide and updated quarterly.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) Open RAN 5G Testbed: This operational facility serves as a vital hub for 5G experimentation and development, supporting various use cases with the Navy, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other partners. Initially established to support the "Flightline of the Future” concept, the NASWI testbed continues to provide crucial support for naval aviation operations and advanced base security. The facility is scheduled for transition to Navy control in FY 2026.
5G Non-Terrestrial Networking (NTN) Testing: This project addresses the challenge of maintaining resilient, secure, and real-time communications in environments where traditional infrastructure may be unavailable, compromised, or degraded. By leveraging industry advancements in 5G NTN, the project aims to establish seamless mission essential connectivity across ground, air, and space assets for Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) and rapid decision-making.