The US Army has awarded US Ignite a $3.8m contract to design and deploy an IoT sensor network and data-driven digital dashboard at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

The sensors will enable base leadership to monitor conditions and collect data in real time to improve public safety, energy efficiency and transportation management for Fort Benning and the surrounding community. US Ignite will work closely with Columbus State University and the city of Columbus to implement multiple projects under the new Fort Benning Smart Base programme.

“I am excited that US Ignite and Columbus State University will be able to use Fort Benning to continue research and development of wireless technologies while also advancing the safety of the Fort Benning community,” said senator Raphael Warnock. “I am proud that Georgia continues to be at the cutting edge of innovation, and I am grateful there are so many people working to ensure our service members have access to the technology they need for operational success.”

The smart base programme should create high-tech jobs and attract commercial investments to Columbus, Georgia. The programme will also generate a set of tools and best practices that can be shared with the Department of Defense (DoD), smart bases and smart cities across the USA.

“This funding will support upgrades at Fort Benning to strengthen national security and improve quality of life for soldiers based in Georgia,” said senator Jon Ossoff.

US Ignite will collaborate with a team of commercial and government partners to support development of a real-time smart installation and community dashboard that integrates information from multiple sources across the base and surrounding areas. This dashboard will provide a model for a common operating picture and offer decision makers insights for managing staff and services on the installation while reducing base operation costs.

“We are pleased the army selected Fort Benning and our regional community partners to receive and test the smart installation and community dashboard,” said Major General Patrick Donahoe from Fort Benning. “This project is a clear signal to soldiers, families, civilians and surrounding communities that Fort Benning continues to be an integral part of the army’s installation strategy.”

Natalie Myers, programme manager at the army’s construction engineering research laboratory, added: “The army requires the ability to develop a community-wide operating picture with real-time data analytics to provide faster awareness and decision options. The Fort Benning example will provide a framework that can be scalable to other DoD installations.”

The programme will begin with the deployment of a sensor network using 4G and 5G wireless connectivity. US Ignite will work with Fort Benning and other DoD stakeholders to develop multiple use cases for the network, while testing and evaluating the technologies deployed. During the second phase of the contract, US Ignite will explore smart base applications focused on transportation, energy, public safety and other priorities set by Fort Benning. The real-time information and data generated by the projects will be captured and visualised through the smart installation and community dashboard.

“Smart installation projects like this help make great strides for the smart community movement,” said Nick Maynard, US Ignite’s CEO. “While this effort will make Fort Benning more efficient and safer, it also will generate sustainable jobs and spark innovation.”