JBSA-Electromagnetic Defense Initiative News
FirstNet bringing additional communication capabilities to JBSA
January 31, 2024
Man with cellular data speed meter.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems pilot may provide infinite energy source for JBSA
January 9, 2023
Graphic

Cybersecurity Speaker Series: 5G security impacts national security
November 21, 2022
NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration Center Speaker Series

New publication guides nation toward EMP resilience
June 10, 2022
Three men speaking

Collaboration key to developing 5G capabilities at JBSA experimentation site
June 6, 2022
JBSA 5G

Innovative lease program boosts installations broadband
February 9, 2022
Phase 1 installations for LTE

Simplified human/machine interfaces top list of critical DOD technologies
February 1, 2022
Simplified human/machine interfaces top list of critical DOD technologies

DOD kicks off 5G dynamic spectrum sharing experimentation at Hill Air Force Base
December 3, 2021
DOD kicks off 5G dynamic spectrum sharing experimentation at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Electromagnetic spectrum superiority vital to security, according to DOD chief information officer
December 2, 2021
A woman stands behind a lectern.

JBSA 5G program hosts San Antonio mayor
August 26, 2021
Man briefing in front of a video presentation

Joint Base San Antonio-Electromagnetic Defense Initiative
Mission 
“Ensure JBSA continues military operations in a post Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) environment” 

   • Create EMP Resiliency Model to Replicate Across DoD 
   • Build on Dissuasion Strategy to prevent EMP as a Weapon 
   • 5G Network Risks & Opportunities

JBSA 5G Program


Joint Base San Antonio 5G is the largest 5G experiment site under the OUSD R&E 5G experiments, with two large programs. The first is for 5G in telemedicine and Medical Training. The second is focused on 5G Core Capabilities and 5G Security. 

DOD 5G Strategy

5G Objectives

DoD requires access to resilient, and protected 5G capabilities and spectrum. Therefore, the DoD will support national efforts to:

  1. Advance U.S. and partner 5G capabilities,
  2. Promote awareness of 5G risks to national security,
  3. Develop approaches to protect 5G infrastructure and technologies.

Given the breadth of these challenges, the DoD must collaborate closely with other U.S. Departments and Agencies, industry, academia, Congress, allies, and partners to ensure success.

5G Lines of Effort

The following are necessary lines of effort to achieve the key outcomes: 

  1. Promote technology development,
  2. Assess, mitigate, and operate through 5G vulnerabilities,
  3. Influence 5G standards and policies,
  4. Engage partners.

5G technologies are strategic capabilities that will impact the U.S. economic and national security and those of our allies and partners. If DoD acts with urgency, it can utilize its unique partnerships, expertise, and resources to accelerate 5G innovation and deployment, including leading edge millimeter-wave and spectrum sharing technologies in support of DoD’s enduring missions. This will help ensure that the U.S. military, the American public, and our allies and partners have access to the best 5G systems, services, and applications in the world.

Domestic Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
The JBSA-EMP Domestic Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations working group will release an EMP resiliency guide for communities in June. The guide will include information on electromagnetic-related threats and a discussion on how communities can evaluate their resiliency maturity to those threats. The guide will be distributed to cities nationwide for their use in planning for EMP defense.