Vertical: Military
Application: Warehouse management, inventory control, process automation
Ecosystem: Federated Wireless, JMA, HPE, Shared Spectrum
Private Network: 5G, CBRS
The U.S. Marine Corps is taking a significant step forward in military logistics with a new private 5G network at its Albany, Georgia logistics hub. The Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM) has awarded Federated Wireless a 42-month sustainment contract valued at over $6 million, marking the Department of Defense’s first commercial 5G private network deployment.
The network, which spans one million square feet and delivers 40 gigabits per second of wireless capacity, has already demonstrated impressive results in enhancing warehouse operations. Early metrics show 98% accuracy in inventory reordering, 65% faster movement of goods, and a 55% reduction in labor costs.
This initiative emerged from practical challenges at the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, where existing fiber optic installations proved costly and complex, while Wi-Fi systems struggled to perform in the challenging warehouse environment. Through the National Spectrum Consortium, the DoD selected Federated Wireless to develop a solution, resulting in a $16.2 million contract for network design and implementation.
The project brings together several key technology partners. JMA Wireless contributes ORAN and XRAN technology for dynamic network management, while HPE provides its Aruba Networking 5G Core for secure data handling. Shared Spectrum supports the efficient allocation and management of CBRS spectrum resources.
“This 5G network gives our logistics teams an unprecedented level of accuracy, efficiency and flexibility in real-time data access,” said Mr. Dan Elzie, Deputy Commander for the Marine Force Storage Command. The success of this deployment positions it as a model for future DoD logistics modernization efforts, with potential benefits extending to other agencies including the Defense Logistics Agency, Marine Depot Maintenance Command, and Marine Force Storage Command.
The project represents a significant validation of CBRS technology in mission-critical applications. By successfully deploying private 5G in a military logistics environment, this initiative demonstrates the capability of shared spectrum solutions to meet stringent operational requirements while delivering substantial improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
