The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded $600 million for 5G experimentation and testing at five U.S. military test sites.

The move is aimed at “exploring the vast potential applications and dual-use opportunities” that can be built upon next-generation networks.

Each installation will partner military Services, industry leaders, and academic experts to advance the Department’s 5G capabilities.

Projects will include piloting 5G-enabled augmented/virtual reality for mission planning and training, testing 5G-enabled Smart Warehouses, and evaluating 5G technologies to enhance distributed command and control.

The test sites include: Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia; Naval Base San Diego, California; and Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The bases were selected for their ability to provide streamlined access to spectrum bands and mature fiber and wireless infrastructure, support new or improved infrastructure requirements, and conduct controlled experimentation with dynamic spectrum sharing.

The Department has plans to announce additional sites in the future.