Bandwidth Battleships Testing Cloud-Connections For Naval Fleets

By Emily Newton

Much of the business world has moved to the cloud, but some segments are harder to transition than others. Navy communications systems, particularly onboard ships, have remained an obstacle. However, a new federal cloud computing project could change that.

The Navy has been migrating its collaborative environments to the cloud under a system dubbed Flank Speed. Now, Flank Speed is coming to ships while they’re away from shore.

How The Federal Cloud Computing System Works

In an initial trial, the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln was able to move multiple terabytes of data to and from the cloud daily while at sea. The ship’s thousands of crew members were also able to remain connected to Flank Speed without interruption. Such a feat is possible thanks to proliferated low earth orbit (P-LEO) satellites.

P-LEO satellite networks connect hundreds, if not thousands, of satellites at altitudes of 2,000 kilometers or lower. They’re the innovation allowing commercial providers like Starlink to deliver internet connections to remote areas. Using satellites means users don’t need to worry about range restrictions from cell towers or cables, while the lower orbit improves speeds and latency.

On-ship IT infrastructure turns these satellite signals into a local Wi-Fi network. As a result, devices like standard computers and smartphones can connect to cloud resources without built-in satellite connectivity. Now that trials have revealed the federal cloud computing solution’s efficacy at sea, the Navy plans to expand it to remote onshore deployments.

Benefits Of Navy Cloud Communications

The step forward in cloud-based Navy communications systems will streamline at-sea operations. Previously, ships had to wait until within range of onshore infrastructure to connect to the internet. Now that cloud resources are accessible at sea, crews can order parts or submit critical documents as soon as the need arises.

Bringing cloud connectivity where it was once unavailable ensures the Navy’s cloud transition reaches its full potential. Roughly 95% of Navy personnel have already migrated to Flank Speed to enable faster, cohesive remote collaboration. However, such adoption is only useful in the real world when users can access these resources at all times.

Now, sailors can remain in contact with cloud collaborators even while in remote locations. The Navy can then take full advantage of the cloud, ensuring everyone is on the same page regardless of their location. That means faster operations, proactive warnings, and greater error reduction by providing a single, up-to-date source of truth for all users.

Remaining Challenges

While the Navy cloud computing project is a success, there are still some obstacles. Most notably, crews cannot use the platform for classified information. As fast and reliable as the satellite connections may be, the Navy does not have full confidence in their privacy yet, restricting their usage of the cloud.

It also will take time to expand on-ship cloud connectivity to the entire fleet. Technological upgrades aside, military applications require extensive trials before they can see widespread adoption.

For example, naval equipment must endure four explosions, repeated hammer blows, or multiple shock pulses during testing to verify its physical resistance. Such high standards suggest that the trial and rollout period for naval cloud computing could be lengthy.

What Naval Cloud Computing Means For Businesses

As these federal cloud computing projects mature, they’ll likely bleed into the world of private industry, too. Maritime businesses would see several positive changes from implementing a similar system.

Transparent Supply Chains

The most impactful benefit of on-ship cloud connectivity is that it would improve supply chain transparency. Visibility is the number one driver of digitization in companies today, and logistics operations are infamously opaque. Connecting ships to the cloud breaks down conventional barriers to transparency.

Manufacturers could track incoming shipments, including their real-time location and condition, while they’re still at sea. Dock workers can get detailed information on arriving ships to ensure smooth operations once they arrive. Across all use cases, organizations would have more data traveling between on-shore facilities and in-transit ships to maximize agility.

Improved Ship Maintenance

Similarly, onboard cloud connectivity would enable better vessel maintenance practices. Crews could contact docks about a repair issue that arose while in the middle of the ocean. The onshore teams would then stock the appropriate replacement parts or ensure they have the necessary equipment to fix the ship once it arrives.

Predictive maintenance takes such improvements even further. Machine learning algorithms can detect an emerging issue at sea, alerting onshore repair personnel as soon as they do. Teams could prepare for maintenance and prevent a larger problem when the ship docks to optimize the balance between operational efficiency and vehicle safety.

Safer Sea Journeys

Maintaining connectivity even while in remote waters also makes sea transport safer. Despite significant improvements over the years, 38 large ships were lost beyond repair in 2022 alone. That figure does not include non-catastrophic accidents, either. While cloud communications can’t prevent every maritime accident, they can hasten response times.

Remote communications would help organizations track emerging issues with ships before they cause significant damage. When emergencies do occur, affected vessels could send additional details to other parties. Responses would become faster and more appropriate to the specific situation as a result.

More Convenient Cruises

Some implications are less serious but still beneficial. Cruise ships and other passenger vessels can use systems similar to the Navy’s cloud computing solution to provide faster, lower-latency internet to customers.

While on-ship Wi-Fi is already common, it can suffer from speed and reliability restraints. Using a low-orbit satellite network and onboard mini data centers might offer a solution to such obstacles. Maritime businesses would provide more convenient services as a result, helping them build a better reputation with clients and boost brand loyalty.

Federal Cloud Computing Has Private Industry Takeaways

It will take time to see the full extent of how the latest federal cloud computing project impacts the Navy. However, the initiative already looks promising. As it expands, its benefits will spill over into the business world, too.

Technological advancements will make P-LEO satellite networks and related innovations increasingly reliable over time. As that happens, maritime connectivity will reach new heights. The Navy, supply chains, and passenger vessels will all see marked improvements as a result.