Building next-generation defense networks for future mission success

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In defense operations, communication is the connective tissue holding every mission together. From domestic military bases to the skies, seas and tactical edge, a reliable low-latency network that maintains connectivity even in remote, contested environments is critical to achieving decision advantage. But for years, contracting has treated networking like an afterthought tacked onto the fine print of RFPs rather than a mission-critical asset.

“Networking has been commoditized, if you look across the Department of War,” said Tang Pham, vice president of the national security group at AT&T. “When we talk about legacy communications infrastructure, the reason it can’t be reconciled is because we continue to commoditize the networking aspects across a multitude of programs and records and contracts.”

To break free of legacy constraints, defense agencies must adopt a new approach to acquisition that treats networking as paramount to success rather than tangential.

Acquisition reform drives innovation

Many current acquisition models have taken a “lowest price technically acceptable” approach to networking, which worked well enough when the primary objective was simply to access the internet.

As capabilities grow more advanced and AI becomes a core mission-enabler, however, a fragmented infrastructure managed by disparate providers is no longer sufficient.

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This content is made possible by our sponsor AT&T; it is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Defense One editorial staff.

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在国防行动中，通信是维系所有任务的关键纽带。从国内军事基地到空中、海上和战术前沿，即使在偏远、对抗激烈的环境中，可靠的低延迟网络也能保持连接，这对于取得决策优势至关重要。然而多年来，合同签订一直将网络视为可有可无的附加条款，而非任务关键型资产。

“如果你纵观整个战争部，就会发现网络技术已经被商品化了，”AT&T国家安全集团副总裁唐·范说道。“当我们谈论传统通信基础设施时，之所以无法达成一致，是因为我们不断地在众多项目、记录和合同中将网络技术商品化。”

为了摆脱传统束缚，国防机构必须采取新的采购方式，将网络化视为成功的关键，而不是次要因素。

收购改革推动创新

目前许多采购模式都采用了“技术上可接受的最低价格”的网络方式，当主要目标仅仅是接入互联网时，这种方式效果很好。

然而，随着能力的不断提升和人工智能成为核心任务推动因素，由不同供应商管理的分散基础设施已不再足够。

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