Defence firm Leonardo and Ericsson have validated 5G SA (Standalone) capabilities for maritime operations following a joint trial with the Italian Navy. The aim is to integrate commercial cellular architecture into defence and industrial environments where reliable connectivity often struggles against environmental conditions or interference.
The trial offers data on deploying private networks in non-terrestrial settings. A complete end-to-end 5G Standalone (SA) network was installed on active naval vessels to test throughput, latency, and security encryption.
Using 5G SA for maritime infrastructure
The project demanded a dedicated private network at sea. A self-contained Ericsson 5G SA network that comprised the vendor’s Ultra Compact Core and Massive MIMO Radio Access Network was fitted to the San Giorgio amphibious landing ship. This vessel served as the primary network node.
To test range and client performance, Ericsson installed 5G SA customer premises equipment (CPE) on a second unit, the Raimondo Montecuccoli multi-purpose combat ship. This link allowed the two units to communicate independently of satellite or shore-based infrastructure during open-sea training.
Engineers aimed to see if 5G SA could handle modern naval data loads. The network supported real-time exchange of classified and unclassified information, maintaining situational awareness via the Combat Management System.
Bandwidth trials involved video streams from 12 unmanned systems. These streams ran through an ‘AI Brain’ platform, requiring stable low-latency throughput. Leonardo provided the security layer, using its NINE encryption solution to lock down data moving across the Ericsson network.
Beyond speed, the maritime 5G SA trial looked at spectrum management. Naval vessels usually run multiple standalone communication systems on unlicensed bands, creating interference risks. The Operational Experimentation (OPEX) showed a unified 5G network could optimise spectrum usage compared to these separated legacy systems.
Such consolidation offers a potential template for industrial maritime sectors (e.g. shipping logistics and offshore energy) where interference is a frequent headache.
Operational context
Patrick Johansson, SVP and Head of Ericsson Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: “The Italian Navy is seeking the best possible connectivity solutions for its related needs, and we are proud to work with them towards that goal.
“Italy’s central Mediterranean location, with an exclusive economic zone spanning more than 500,000 Sq Km of sea, means the Italian Navy plays a strategically important role in Europe.”
The work falls under the 5G COMPAD project, with results shown during the Italian Navy’s OPEX 2-25 in the Gulf of Taranto. It follows previous maritime collaboration between Ericsson and the Italian Navy, including 2024 NATO trials where a 5G SA network was set up at the Taranto naval base.
Freddie Södergren, Head of Mission Critical Networks at Ericsson, commented: “This successful trial with Leonardo and the Italian Navy represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing defense capabilities through 5G technology. As an integral part of Ericsson’s defense portfolio, our 5G platform is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the sector.
“This collaboration not only demonstrates the versatility of dual-use 5G in critical operations, but also highlights how enhanced connectivity at sea can significantly strengthen naval communications and operational effectiveness.”
The validation suggests private cellular 5G SA networks can now support mission-heavy applications even in off-shore maritime environments. For operators, the ability to manage high-definition video and encrypted data streams between moving nodes without fixed infrastructure presents a working alternative to legacy radio and satellite options.
See also: Private 5G networks: Solving the space and power problem
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