GBL and Samsung have been contracted by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to support one of the largest testbeds, demonstrating the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) over 5G networks for training applications. GBL is a technology product and solutions company catering to avionics Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), C4I Testing & Evaluation, Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Technology Support, Modeling & Simulation, and Systems Software/Engineering.
For the new 5G testbeds, GBL has responsibility for prototype creation, technology integration, and aligning the solution with the Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. At the same time, Samsung will deliver its 5G end-to-end solution and technical expertise, including Samsung’s latest network products, such as its Massive MIMO Radios, cloud-native 5G Standalone (SA) Core, and Galaxy 5G mobile devices.
Through the testing process, the two companies will work with the DoD to verify the deployment of a scalable, resilient and secure 5G network for AR/VR-based mission planning and training.
GBL and Samsung will design their 5G testbeds to support innovative AR scenarios to elevate live field military training exercises. Simulated scenarios include virtual obstacles found in the combat theatre, and overlays of data and instruments relied on by military personnel.
“GBL is excited to work with Samsung to rapidly field a 5G network that is scalable, resilient, and secure to create a prototype testbed in support of a new DoD 5G-enabled AR/VR training capability,” said Jim Buscemi, CEO. “This effort has the potential to revolutionize how the DoD performs distributed training exercises that are more combat-like to significantly advance warfighter readiness.”
Testing will start in a lab environment using Samsung’s mmWave and mid-band 5G radios. Field testing will then follow two U.S. Army training bases that will support a live and simulated Army brigade. These field tests will primarily use mid-band 5G radios to maximize coverage and expand training capacity from a company-level to ultimately a brigade-level of soldiers.
“Samsung is pleased to collaborate with GBL to deliver a reliable, resilient, and secure 5G network for the DoD to evaluate new capabilities for our U.S. troops,” said Imran Akbar, Vice President and Head of New Business Team, Networks Business, Samsung Electronics America. “We believe in the transformative power of 5G and look forward to assisting the U.S. Department of Defense as they use this technology to increase training safety and strengthen the Nation’s defense capabilities.”
Samsung’s 5G solution enables quality, real-time imagery to be shared by many participants simultaneously. The Army trainees will use AR/VR goggles to see enhanced digital content overlaid onto the real world, and can use this digital imagery to interact with and acquire information about their real environment. This expands what’s possible in military training today, and provides a competitive advantage against adversaries.
