Booz Allen lands contract to upgrade wireless on MSC ships

Booz Allen Hamilton has been awarded a $99m (€86m) contract by the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) to provide engineering, deployment, and ongoing support for advanced wireless networks on government-operated vessels.

The contract will cover ships stationed across the Pacific, Europe, and the US, equipping them with secure network connections via Low Earth Orbit satellites, updated Wi-Fi systems, and 5G cellular communications.

The contract follows Booz Allen’s successful completion of a 5G rapid prototyping initiative with the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic. That project tested a wireless design to facilitate both shipboard and pierside communications, enabling edge applications alongside cloud-based services. The new work expands the prototype into full production, delivering reliable, secure connectivity for civil service mariners and supporting operational readiness across MSC vessels.

Chris Christou, Edge/NextG senior vice president at Booz Allen, highlighted the importance of bridging connectivity gaps at sea and in port to improve mission effectiveness and crew retention. The firm will leverage its expertise in model-based systems engineering, network engineering, cloud architecture, NextG and wireless networking, edge technologies, and cybersecurity to implement the network upgrades.

The Military Sealift Command operates approximately 140 civilian-crewed ships, providing ocean transport for the Pentagon. These vessels replenish US Navy ships at sea, carry out specialised missions, preposition combat cargo globally, perform a variety of support functions, and transport equipment and supplies for deployed US and coalition forces.

Booz Allen’s delivery will enhance working and living conditions for mariners while maintaining strict security and operational standards.

Discover the full details of Booz Allen’s MSC wireless programme and its national procurement impact in the complete story.