Back in 2022, Mike Harttree, an IoT Architect at Cisco, gave a talk at the LoRa Alliance's annual conference about how the U.S. government is using LoRaWAN to enhance operational efficiency and tackle long-standing logistical challenges.
With all the current fuss about Meshtastic and LoRa, I thought it'd be a good idea to review what has already been done. Some of this is super basic (replacing fuel stick measurements with digital ones), but after all, that's what IoT is about; digitizing the measurements of our world.
It doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to work.
Introduction
The U.S. government has begun leveraging LoRaWAN technology to enhance operational efficiency and tackle long-standing logistical challenges. In a recent talk, Cisco's U.S. government IoT engineer detailed how LoRaWAN solutions are addressing critical needs in areas like military aviation and asset tracking. Here's a summary of how LoRaWAN is making an impact.
Cisco's Role in the LoRaWAN Ecosystem
Cisco has positioned itself as a significant player in the LoRaWAN space, with over 480 global customers deploying their gateways, routers, and software. The company's offerings include:
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Industrial Asset Vision: An all-in-one cloud-based LoRaWAN solution integrating Cisco sensors, gateways, and network servers for seamless deployment.
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Customizable Enterprise Solutions: Cisco collaborates with Actility and WMW to offer flexible deployments for sensitive use cases, including on-premises Docker-based configurations for government applications.
Solving Data Sovereignty and Security Challenges
In the U.S., government data must comply with strict sovereignty and security regulations, often necessitating that all data remain within national borders. Cisco addresses these requirements by:
- Deploying Docker containers for network and application servers on government-approved private clouds like AWS GovCloud and Microsoft Azure for secure, localized data processing.
- Ensuring the solutions meet certifications up to top-secret classification.
LoRaWAN in Military Aviation
Cisco's solutions are being implemented in U.S. military aviation to digitize processes and improve operational readiness. Key insights include:
- Aircraft Readiness Challenges: The U.S. military aims for 80% aircraft readiness, but current rates are well below that for both legacy (F-22) and modern (F-35) fighter jets. LoRaWAN technology helps streamline maintenance and resource allocation.
- Fuel Truck Monitoring: Previously reliant on manual measurements with sticks, jet fuel levels are now digitized with LoRaWAN sensors, ensuring accurate data and reducing errors.
- Asset Tracking: From nitrogen carts to fuel trucks, LoRaWAN devices help locate critical resources and prevent logistical disputes between branches like the Navy and Marines.
Improving Safety and Efficiency
LoRaWAN is also being used to enhance safety and situational awareness:
- Tracking Personnel: Sensors help locate personnel in challenging conditions, such as Marines operating in low visibility.
- Monitoring Equipment: Vehicles, doors, and other assets are being digitized to ensure they are always accounted for.
Why LoRaWAN is Effective for Government Use Cases
Cisco's LoRaWAN deployments for the U.S. government underscore the technology's adaptability and scalability. Its ability to operate on-premises, comply with stringent security standards, and integrate with existing infrastructure makes it an ideal choice for mission-critical applications.
Takeaways
By digitizing processes and providing secure, localized solutions, LoRaWAN is enhancing military readiness, safety, and resource management. As adoption continues to grow, its role in ensuring mission-critical efficiency will only expand.