5G for defense: How Nokia is driving innovation for the U.S. military

At a sprawling military base in the American Southwest, aircrews prepare for flight operations while support teams stream maintenance data in real time from the flightline. A few thousand miles away, a forward unit activates a secure private 5G network from an MRZR, linking unmanned assets and ISR sensors across the battlespace. These are not isolated moments; they’re part of a growing transformation fueled by Nokia Federal Solutions’ 5G solutions.

Mission-driven innovation for the U.S. military

In today’s complex and contested operating environments, the ability to communicate securely, reliably, and at speed is mission critical. Whether on a remote airfield, on a training range, or at the tactical edge, U.S. military forces need infrastructure that moves with the mission, not behind it. Nokia Federal Solutions is delivering exactly that

As a dedicated U.S.-focused entity within Nokia, we bridge commercial innovation with mission assurance—bringing carrier-grade 5G adapted for military and federal operations. From private base-wide deployments to rapidly deployable tactical networks, Nokia’s platforms power the communications backbone for the modern warfighter.

Private 5G: Secure connectivity for federal missions

Our 5G private wireless solutions give federal agencies and the U.S. Department of War the best of both worlds: commercial-scale innovation and mission-specific customization.

Whether you’re running a large installation, managing a logistics hub, or supporting operations in the field, our technology delivers high-performance, secure connectivity where it’s needed most.

Built for mission-critical environments, our solutions offer: 

• Carrier-grade RAN and core, adapted for private network environments
• Broadband coverage across bases, hangars, airfields, and ranges
• Secure, resilient performance in rugged or RF-challenged locations
• Support for dynamic spectrum sharing, microwave transport, and backhaul

From inside aircraft fuselages to a -30-degree training range, our technology ensures always-on, high-performance connectivity that keeps your mission moving. 

Tactical 5G: Built for the edge

When the mission goes beyond the wire, Nokia goes with it.

Our Tactical Private Wireless solutions, led by the Nokia Banshee family, deliver self-contained, portable 4G/5G networks that enable real-time voice, video, and data in austere and disconnected environments. With capabilities like:

• Rapid deployment in minutes
• Self-forming, self-healing mesh networking
• Low-latency, high-bandwidth communications
• Seamless interoperability with legacy comms, SATCOM, and ISR systems

These systems are field proven by federal users in operations ranging from disaster response to tactical missions. Whether mounted in vehicles, worn in a backpack, or deployed in fixed command posts, the Nokia Banshee product family delivers operational advantage at the tactical edge.

Aligned with the CJADC2 vision

As the DoD drives toward Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), the network becomes the foundation of every mission. Nokia Federal’s 5G architecture is designed for seamless, secure, and scalable operations across domains that enable faster decision cycles and real-time data fusion across the battlespace.

• AI/ML-capable infrastructure for edge analytics
• Open, standards-based architecture for interoperability
• Mission-configurable networks for joint and coalition use

We’re not just enabling communication—we’re accelerating decision advantage.

Use Cases: Where innovation meets mission

Nokia 5G private and tactical solutions are already supporting real-world federal use cases:

• Flightlines: Enable high-speed data offload for efficient aircraft operations and maintenance
• Contested logistics: Maintain comms integrity across supply chains
• Training ranges: Deliver realistic, immersive training with real-time feedback
• Emergency services: Support first responders with secure, deployable broadband
• Microwave transport: Ensure robust backhaul and redundancy
• Dynamic spectrum sharing: Optimize frequency use in congested environments

Ready for what’s next

At Nokia Federal Solutions, we’re not just keeping up with technology, we’re helping define its future. As 5G matures and 6G emerges, we’re working hand-in-hand with U.S. government stakeholders to shape next-generation standards and deliver systems that serve mission needs now and into the future.

Mission readiness starts with the right network. Let’s build it together.

Visit our 5G private wireless solutions page or reach out to our team to explore how Nokia Federal can help transform your communications landscape.