Navy CIO Barry Tanner Prioritized Tech Modernization

The Navy has accelerated the integration of 5G and network consolidation to support autonomous systems.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Telecommunications

Isometric editorial illustration of modular communication hardware and cable bundles, representing military network infrastructure modernization. — Navy CIO Barry Tanner is overseeing the consolidation of over 600 fragmented networks into a modernized 5G-ready infrastructure to support autonomous naval systems. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the federal government increase spending on military communication networks?

Navy Chief Information Officer Barry Tanner has prioritized significant investments in modern communications to overhaul aging military IT infrastructure. The initiative aims to support the adoption of artificial intelligence and autonomous operations across naval platforms.

Why it matters

Persistent connectivity is required for modern naval shooting and maneuvering operations. Consolidating fragmented network systems is a foundational step for deploying advanced autonomous technologies at scale.

The Navy is actively integrating 5G connectivity on small unmanned aerial systems and aircraft carriers. This follows a $99 million contract awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton in November 2025 to improve ship wireless connectivity.

The players

Barry Tanner

He serves as the Navy chief information officer and is responsible for leading the service's digital transformation efforts.

Hung Cao

He is the Acting Secretary of the Navy who initiated the move to consolidate the service's fragmented network infrastructure.

Booz Allen Hamilton

This management and technology consulting firm was awarded a $99 million contract to improve wireless connectivity for the Military Sealift Command.

The details

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao initiated a move to consolidate more than 600 individual Navy networks into a more efficient infrastructure. The service is simultaneously retiring legacy IT systems to redirect resources toward modern 5G platforms like Flank Speed Wireless.

In November 2025, the Military Sealift Command awarded a $99 million wireless contract.
Barry Tanner was confirmed as the permanent Navy chief information officer in August 2026.
On September 22, 2026, Barry Tanner discussed these priorities at a defense conference.

The Tech Race

The Navy's move to consolidate 600 networks aligns with the broader Department of Defense's Zero Trust Architecture mandate for improved cybersecurity. This transition replaces legacy, siloed infrastructure with a unified communication framework necessary for modern warfare.

These upgrades enable the implementation of advanced autonomous systems that require high-speed, persistent data links to function in real time. For personnel, this shift means moving away from legacy IT bottlenecks toward faster, more reliable network access across all naval platforms.

The takeaway

Modernizing military communication is a prerequisite for any force seeking to integrate AI and drones into daily operations. The shift toward a consolidated network architecture represents a significant departure from fragmented systems of the past.