The Marine Corps is seeking to improve aircraft readiness as they pilot a program bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to aviation hangars.
“It was during a Marine aviation conference last year that [Marine Aircraft Group 29] shared a brief highlighting that Wi-Fi internet is a smart capability to increase speed and accuracy when maintaining aircrafts,” Capt. Mary Beth Bloom, lead action officer for wireless at HQMC C4, said in a press release.
The Wi-Fi is intended to streamline logistical capabilities and provide easier access to manuals, parts and other information.
The implementation has raised concerns about cybersecurity and the potential that hackers could access the system and steal information or interfere with operations.
The networks will still use certificates authentication when verifying users, Bloom said. She added that the laptops can be configured to access a specified wireless network to keep information from being removed from the hangar.
The Wi-Fi capability will increase the range of access to online resources for maintainers and air crews.
“Currently, there are not enough Ethernet ports in air hangars for all crew members to use,” Joni Ong, MCEN-N Wireless project officer for Marine Corps Network and Infrastructure Services at MCSC said in the news release. “Users generally have to work offline when away from the ports, slowing the maintenance process for ordering parts, taking electronic notes, updating essential manuals and key tasks.”
The first Wi-Fi system is expected to be completed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, by summer 2017.
