The government contracting (GovCon) landscape is littered with buzzwords, but few carry the disruptive weight of 5G and AI in Government Contracting. These aren’t just separate technological advancements; they are converging into a unified, foundational layer that is reshaping national security, logistics, and strategic defense planning. If artificial intelligence is the brilliant, rapidly calculating brain of the future defense apparatus, then advanced wireless infrastructure—specifically 5G—is its indispensable, high-speed nervous system.
This critical, yet often overlooked, relationship between network transport and next-generation compute was the central theme of a recent, insightful conversation with Christopher Ling, the President and CEO of Ericsson Federal Technologies Group. His perspective, forged over three decades in the industry, offers a clear mandate for every GovCon firm vying for a stake in the Department of Defense (DoD) mission: The network is no longer a utility; it is a decisive military asset.
Ling’s insights underscore a pivotal shift in the DoD’s acquisition strategy. The days of relying solely on bespoke, custom-built military communication systems are winding down. The U.S. government, driven by the need for speed and scalability, is making a hard pivot toward adopting proven commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies. Ericsson Federal, launched in 2024, was created precisely to bridge this gap—taking established, enterprise-grade wireless solutions and adapting them securely for the most complex national security missions, including those in the classified space.
The Network Mandate: Why AI Cannot Thrive Without 5G Standalone
It is tempting for contractors and policymakers alike to focus exclusively on the latest Large Language Models (LLMs) or sophisticated AI algorithms. But as Ling pointed out, the finest AI is functionally useless if the data it needs to operate—often massive in volume and critical to timely decision-making—cannot move securely and quickly.
“What people don’t realize is that artificial intelligence needs to ride on some sort of a network transport layer,” Ling noted.
This is where the technological leap to 5G Standalone (5G SA) becomes paramount for defense contractors. Unlike the initial, non-standalone versions of 5G (which often relied on existing 4G core infrastructure), 5G SA offers three non-negotiable capabilities essential for military AI adoption:
1. Network Slicing and Mission-Specific Performance
5G SA allows operators to create isolated, virtual, end-to-end networks atop a single physical infrastructure. For the DoD, this means a battlefield commander can dedicate a “slice” of bandwidth exclusively for highly sensitive sensor data, guaranteeing ultra-low latency and specific quality of service (QoS), while a separate slice handles general communications. This capability transforms generic infrastructure into a customizable, mission-specific tool, a capability legacy networks simply cannot match.
2. Ultra-Low Latency for Edge Compute
AI’s true value in the field lies in its ability to deliver insights and initiate actions faster than any human counterpart. This requires processing power not just in the cloud, but right at the “tactical edge”—on drones, vehicles, and deployed sensors. 5G’s dramatically reduced latency (the delay before a transfer of data begins) is the prerequisite for this edge compute success. Without reliable, near-instantaneous connectivity, the advantage of AI-driven autonomous systems vanishes.
3. Enhanced Security Architecture
Security in a contested electromagnetic environment is everything. By enabling true network slicing and a more sophisticated core, 5G SA is inherently better suited to implement modern security paradigms, particularly Zero Trust architecture. Contractors who understand how to apply robust encryption and authentication protocols within a 5G environment—ensuring that every device, application, and user must be verified before granting access—will find themselves uniquely competitive in forthcoming solicitations.
Bending the Cost Curve: Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC)
Beyond enhancing AI, the future of wireless networks offers novel ways to address age-old cost and operational challenges. Ling highlighted the concept of Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) as a prime example of this innovation.
In simple terms, ISAC turns existing cellular infrastructure into a powerful, passive sensor grid. Why is this important? Consider the burgeoning threat of inexpensive, off-the-shelf drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS). Defending against these threats often involves engaging them with expensive interceptor missiles—a fundamentally unsustainable economic model.
“You can’t shoot a million-dollar missile at a $50,000 drone,” Ling quipped, crystallizing the financial disparity.
ISAC offers a solution to “bend the cost curve.” By upgrading cellular base stations with sophisticated software and hardware, the network itself can be used to detect, track, and potentially classify incoming drone threats. This shifts counter-UAS (C-UAS) from an expensive munitions problem to a cost-effective software and network integration opportunity. For GovCon partners, developing, integrating, and maintaining ISAC capabilities within federal spectrum holdings represents a multi-billion dollar market opportunity.
The Road Ahead: Navigating FutureG and 6G as a Contractor
The defense technology race doesn’t stop at 5G. Ling also framed the ongoing transition to FutureG and eventually 6G as fundamental to long-term strategic deterrence. The transition isn’t just about faster speeds; it’s about creating a hyper-connected, virtualized operational environment.
Future networks will facilitate massive device connectivity, enabling millions of interconnected sensors, devices, and platforms to communicate autonomously across vast, dispersed battle spaces. This level of seamless connectivity will allow AI algorithms to analyze and act upon data from sources ranging from satellites to individual soldier sensors, creating a unified, real-time operating picture.
Ling emphasized that, ultimately, “No matter how good the AI algorithms are, the platform in which they function will be a huge competitive discriminator.” In the context of GovCon, this is a clarion call. The companies that win the next decade of defense work will be those that have mastered not just AI development, but the secure, resilient deployment of the underlying wireless infrastructure.
Actionable Takeaways for GovCon Leadership
For firms looking to align their capabilities with the DoD’s shift toward COTS and advanced wireless, Ling’s interview provides several clear, immediate priorities:
- Invest in Dual-Use Expertise: The government needs integrators who can translate commercial 5G standards (like 3GPP specifications) into secure, military-hardened deployments. Hire or partner with talent that speaks both the commercial wireless language and the language of DoD security protocols.
- Prioritize Network Core Capabilities: Winning contracts won’t just be about building towers; it will be about managing the network core (the “brain” of the 5G system). Focus your R&D on virtualized core networks, network slicing optimization, and sophisticated orchestration tools.
- Explore the ISAC Opportunity: The counter-drone market is booming. If your firm specializes in RF engineering, signal processing, or sensor integration, pivot toward developing ISAC-enabled applications that utilize existing spectrum to solve real-world C-UAS problems cost-effectively.
- Embrace the Edge: The combination of 5G and AI requires edge computing. GovCon firms must demonstrate proficiency in deploying secure, modular data processing capabilities that can operate autonomously at the tactical edge and communicate effectively over high-speed 5G links.
This conversation with Ericsson Federal’s leader is a powerful reminder that while headlines often focus on the flashy algorithms, the foundational work—the hard, resilient engineering of the wireless network—is what truly unlocks the strategic advantage of AI. In the GovCon world, understanding the network’s role in the AI mission is not optional; it is the prerequisite for relevance in the new age of defense technology.
