Why Standardized 5G NTN is a Force Multiplier for Defense Communications
Standardized 5G NTN offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional military satellite systems. Built on 3GPP standards, it enables rapid deployment, reduces custom development overhead, and improves interoperability between allied forces.
Instead of waiting years to field proprietary solutions, military organizations can adopt existing satellite infrastructure and adapt it to their own needs – without losing control or security.
What makes standardized 5G NTN a force multiplier for defense?
Rapid Deployment & Head-Start
Standardized 5G NTN gives defense agencies a running start. Instead of building custom systems from the ground up, they can fast-track deployment by using commercial-grade, 3GPP-compliant technologies already in orbit. This approach cuts years off timelines — and gets secure, global connectivity in place faster, when agility matters most.
Cost Efficiency
through Scale
3GPP standards unlock mass production. Existing 5G device ecosystems reduce procurement costs and simplify logistics. Military forces can adapt commercial equipment — from terminals to antennas — at a fraction of the cost of custom-built satcom solutions.
Interoperability – Plug & Play for Allied Forces
With 5G NTN, coalition forces can talk – across vendors, nations, and networks. Standards-based 5G NTN enables seamless roaming across orbits, networks, and vendors – with a single terminal, ready for multi-theater deployment.
Case: How Onboard 5G NTN Keeps Defense Networks Online
On 28 April 2025, over 30 GW of power was lost across the Iberian Peninsula – darkening homes, roads, and critical infrastructure in Spain, Portugal, and even parts of France. Mobile towers, emergency services, and transport systems went down for hours, risking civilian safety, economic stability, and national resilience.
But what if defense and public networks could remain operational even during such catastrophic failures?
During infrastructure collapse, a 5G NTN satellite constellation with onboard processing becomes both base station and network core, keeping critical communications alive across public, rescue, and military paths — without power on the ground.
5G NTN: A Mission-Critical Backup
In this scenario, a 5G NTN constellation with onboard RAN and core processing ensures continuity when terrestrial infrastructure is degraded, denied, or compromised:
-
Devices (hand-held, vehicular, tactical radios) keep communicating directly over satellite
-
The satellite processes traffic onboard — acting as both radio access and core network
-
Ground stations, if offline due to power loss, are no longer a bottleneck
-
Network slices enable simultaneous support for public emergency services, civilian safety, and secure military communications — all from a single terminal
Why This Matters for Defense
-
Uninterrupted command-and-control during critical incidents
-
Simplified logistics: fewer terminals to manage and protect
-
Secure, sovereign control: Gatehouse Satcom’s modules ensure encrypted, inspected, and mission-customized software runs end-to-end
-
Dual-use resilience: Supports civilians and defense alike—enhancing civil-military collaboration during crises
Gatehouse Satcom: A Strategic Enabler for Defense-Grade 5G NTN
As defense organizations begin to adopt standardized 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks, one requirement stands above the rest: trust. Not just in the signal – but in every component that makes that signal possible.
At Gatehouse Satcom, we specialize in developing the software foundation that powers 5G NTN systems across the entire chain – from the user terminal to the satellite payload to the ground station infrastructure. This isn’t just about enabling connectivity. It’s about enabling sovereign, secure, and standards-aligned connectivity – tailored to defense environments.
Whether deployed at the tactical edge, embedded in national SATCOM architectures, or integrated into coalition C4ISR networks, our software is built to provide:
-
Full-stack visibility and control – from UE to gateway
-
Compliance with 3GPP 5G NTN specifications
-
Modularity and integration freedom for sovereign implementations
-
A trusted, export-ready base for defense and government programs
Aligned with Defense Priorities and Procurement Criteria
Across the globe, defense organizations are rethinking how they build, operate, and secure their communications infrastructure. From the U.S. Department of Defense to European ministries and allied coalitions, the trend is clear:
future military networks must be more flexible, more secure — and based on trusted, standardized technologies.
Gatehouse Satcom’s 5G NTN software solutions align with this shift.
Built on open 3GPP standards and designed for defense environments, our technology enables armed forces to take advantage of commercial innovation without sacrificing control, visibility, or sovereignty. Whether integrated into private networks on the ground, space-based systems, or national architectures, our modular software stack supports secure, mission-tailored deployment across all domains.
| What defense stakeholders require | Gatehouse Satcom delivers |
|---|---|
| Mission-tailored network architectures | Modular, component-based software for UE, payload, and ground |
| Trusted supply chains & transparent systems | No black-box dependencies – source-inspectable and auditable |
| Standards-based interoperability (3GPP, Open RAN) | Full alignment with 5G NTN specs and Open RAN principles |
| Secure integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) | Proven NTN stack for UE, satellite and ground infrastructure |
| Support for national and coalition deployments | Roaming, slicing, and cross-network integration readiness |
| Zero-trust, cyber-resilient infrastructure | Software design ready for defense-grade hardening and policies |
Core Defense Priorities – Built into the 5G NTN Architecture
-
Resilient Communications
Maintains secure links even under jamming, infrastructure failure, or degraded conditions. Designed to operate in contested, congested, and denied environments where traditional links fail. -
Military-Grade Security
Supports encrypted, private connections aligned with defense standards and sovereign control. Enables full-stack security, from UE to core, and integration with existing crypto modules or zero-trust frameworks. -
Low-Detectability Options
Architecture supports power-efficient, narrowband transmissions for low-probability-of-detection scenarios. Flexible waveform configurations can reduce signal footprint and enhance tactical survivability. - Tactical Flexibility
Built on a software-defined architecture adaptable to mission needs, platforms, and form factors. Supports deployment across handhelds, airborne assets, UxVs, and forward-deployed edge systems — all under a unified 5G NTN framework.
FAQ
Can standardized technology even be secure?
Standardized 5G architectures don’t mean exposed systems. You can layer encryption and authentication mechanisms alongside or within the 3GPP stack. In fact, having a well-understood, openly vetted protocol makes it easier to spot vulnerabilities, not hide them. Combined with trusted software implementations and sovereign deployment control, standardized doesn't mean compromised — it means manageable.
What would be saved on military budgets by going standardized?
Using 3GPP-based 5G NTN avoids the need to develop bespoke satellite communication stacks from scratch — cutting years off project timelines and saving millions in R&D. It also means militaries can adapt commercial-grade equipment (terminals, antennas, radios) at scale, reducing per-unit costs dramatically. Standardized = affordable at volume.
How is 5G NTN different from traditional military satcom?
Traditional milsatcom is custom-built, closed, and often isolated by design. 5G NTN is built on open standards that enable interoperability, rapid deployment, and integration with terrestrial and coalition networks. It's the difference between buying a secure phone off the shelf — and spending five years designing one from scratch.
Can 5G NTN work in contested or infrastructure-denied environments?
With transparent satellites and ground-based control, 5G NTN systems can operate independently of local infrastructure — and remain resilient in contested environments. The ability to switch seamlessly between terrestrial, airborne, and space-based nodes means a connection can be maintained even when parts of the network are degraded or lost.
Can allied forces operate on the same system?
Because 5G NTN follows the same global standards used by many NATO and partner nations, different forces can use the same infrastructure while maintaining their own control layers. Through network slicing and secure authentication, multiple militaries can interoperate without sacrificing sovereignty or security.
Where does Gatehouse Satcom fit in the 5G NTN defense picture?
We provide the trusted software core.
From user devices to ground stations, Gatehouse Satcom delivers the software that enables secure, standards-based 5G NTN communications. Defense partners gain modular, inspectable software components — free of vendor lock-in or hidden dependencies — to build sovereign systems on top of commercial infrastructure.
Want to learn more about
5G NTN for defense?
Fill in your details — and we’ll reach out to arrange a conversation about how we can help you approach standardized, secure 5G NTN implementation for your mission needs.
