Production contract to install and sustain wireless networks on Military Sealift Command ships

Booz Allen Hamilton announced it was awarded a $99 million contract by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) to engineer, deploy, and sustain wireless networks for civil service mariners aboard MSC’s government-operated ships. Under this contract, the advanced technology company will equip ships—located in the Pacific, Europe, and the U.S.—with secure and reliable connectivity by deploying a solution that leverages Low Earth Orbit satellites, advanced wireless and Wi-Fi technologies, and 5G cellular communications.

This award builds upon Booz Allen’s leadership in delivering cutting-edge wireless and NextG capabilities for customers. Booz Allen successfully executed a 5G rapid prototyping effort with Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, which included the testing and piloting of a wireless design, providing shipboard and pierside communications to enable the use of edge applications and cloud-based services.

“Bridging the connectivity gap at sea and in port is critical, not only to enable the Navy’s warfighting readiness, but also to improve quality of life and crew retention among the thousands of civil service mariners who help keep the fleet mission-ready,” said Chris Christou, senior vice president of Edge/NextG in Booz Allen’s Chief Technology Office. “Booz Allen’s combination of advanced wireless engineering expertise, mission understanding, and a rigorous systems engineering approach enables us to install the capabilities our customers need while also helping them to scale implementation. We’re excited to translate our prototyping experience into a successful production phase.”

With this new contract, Booz Allen will expand its successful 5G prototype to encompass MSC’s advanced wireless efforts by using the company’s capabilities in model-based systems engineering, network engineering, cloud architecture, NextG and wireless networking, edge technologies, and cybersecurity. This will result in greater connectivity and contribute to improvements in both quality of life and quality of work among civil service mariners.

“We are encouraged to see our customers taking an outcomes-based approach to acquiring advanced technologies to increase workforce efficiency,” said Scott Sautter, vice president in Booz Allen’s global defense business. “Our focus is on rapidly modernizing ships with the wireless capabilities they need at the pace of commercial innovation. Ultimately, this work will enable Military Sealift Command to more efficiently and effectively carry out their mission by enhancing connectivity and well-being for Sailors and civil service mariners around the world.”

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is the premier provider of ocean transportation for the Pentagon. The Command operates approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships at sea, conduct specialized missions, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, perform a variety of support services, and move military equipment and supplies to deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

Read more about Booz Allen’s 5G/NextG capabilities.

Source: BUSINESS WIRE