Japan's Defense Ministry is set to adopt the core technology behind NTT's next-generation Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) for its Self-Defense Forces nationwide. This initiative aims to modernize defense infrastructure by leveraging cutting-edge commercial communication technology.
The IOWN platform is designed to revolutionize data transfer by converting communication signals into optical signals, promising significantly faster speeds and reduced power consumption compared to traditional electrical signals. This advancement is expected to enhance capabilities crucial for modern warfare, including drone operations, cyber defense, and electromagnetic applications.
Data gathered by radar, sensors, and drones will be sent to command and data centers for analysis, improving real-time battlefield intelligence and missile detection systems. Furthermore, the ministry plans to apply IOWN to digital twin technology, enabling virtual testing of equipment to reduce development time and costs.
A committee composed of ministry officials and Self-Defense Forces personnel is currently developing plans for the technology's integration. The initiative aligns with a broader strategy to bolster national security by incorporating civilian innovations, with potential costs to be proposed for the fiscal 2025 budget. The ministry is also engaging with startups and academia, inspired by approaches like the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's model for utilizing civilian technology.
