The OSIRIS system was deployed as a standalone 5G network to support operations across various domains. Led by the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) 5G team, the demonstration focused on testing tactical wireless communications for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO).
During the exercise, the OSIRIS testbed integrated with both free-flying and tethered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system enabled secure, simultaneous connections to multiple UAVs and established a wireless 5G link between a USMC Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) and the USMC Air Command and Control System (AC2S) to facilitate real-time data exchange.
The Steel Knight exercise is an annual military event designed for large-scale testing of new technologies to enhance Department of Defense (DoD) operations. This year, OSIRIS capabilities were tested at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton with Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 38, focusing on persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), 5G failover using tactical radios, and aerial 5G base stations.
The deployment aligns with the USMC’s Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment (LOCE) strategy, which emphasises distributed and networked naval operations. It also supports the EABO initiative, which enhances the USMC’s ability to establish expeditionary advanced bases for improved logistics, command and control, and firepower in military operations.
The OSIRIS testbed featured three distinct configurations: Nomadic Tower, Mobile Relay, and Stand-alone Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB). For the first time, the IAB system demonstrated its ability to expand 5G mesh coverage over tactical distances, enhancing network resilience in dynamic environments.
OSIRIS is a private 5G network that complies with Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) standards. It incorporates Intel FlexRAN reference software, Intel Xeon processors, Radisys 5G software, and other subsystems integrated by Lockheed Martin to meet the USMC’s expeditionary communication requirements.
Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of C4ISR, Erika Marshall, highlighted the significance of the demonstration, stating that it provided critical insights into the application of 5G.MIL® technology for military use. She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to integrating commercial technologies into defence solutions.
Intel’s Vice President Cristina Rodriguez noted that the OSIRIS demonstration proved the viability of nomadic wireless backhaul, which enables real-time communications in areas with limited or damaged infrastructure. Radisys Head of Software, Munish Chhabra, added that the exercise was a key milestone in ensuring secure and reliable connectivity for military operations.
Looking ahead, the OSIRIS program will finalise its testing phase, complete its supporting documentation, and conduct further experiments to evaluate the integration of 5G-ready devices, sensors, and vehicles. The goal is to explore the full military utility of commercial 5G technologies and pave the way for future advancements.
Lockheed Martin was awarded the OSIRIS contract in 2021 under a $19.3 million Prototype Project Agreement (PPA) to develop a 5G communications testbed for USMC operations. The three-phase project involved a 20-month experimentation period, with lessons learned contributing to performance enhancements in preparation for the Steel Knight 2024 capstone event.
With the conclusion of Phase 3, the OSIRIS project has provided valuable insights into the role of 5G in modern military operations. The findings will help shape future defence communication strategies, ensuring that advanced wireless technologies support the evolving needs of the USMC and the broader U.S. Department of Defense.
Source: Lockheed Martin (press release).
