Hughes facility will serve as testing ground for private 5G solutions for enterprise and the U.S. Department of Defense
EchoStar subsidiary Hughes Network Systems announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility and private 5G incubation center in Germantown, Maryland.
The Hughes Manufacturing Facility (EXM) produces the company’s satellite modems and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite terminals.
In addition to about 400 engineers, technicians and manufacturing staff, the Hughes EXM facility utilizes advanced robotics to assist in the manufacture of high-tech products such as satellite modems and terminals. The company noted that the EXM facility will also serve as a testing ground for private 5G solutions for enterprise applications as well as secure 5G networking applications critical to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
Hughes will use the new facility in Maryland to provide the DoD with secure onshore manufacturing capabilities to help the agency evaluate 5G applications for use cases in the military field. Paul Gaske, COO, Hughes. “The EXM facility allows us to continue a proud tradition of designing and manufacturing leading edge products here in Maryland.”
Located in the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology on the Montgomery College campus, the company also highlighted that the new manufacturing center will offer hands-on training and educational initiatives for students, who will be able to interact with leading engineers at Hughes through internships, mentoring and shadowing opportunities. This 140,000-square-foot space is the first-ever manufacturing facility on a community college campus in the U.S, the company said.
“The opening of EXM solidifies our dedication to technological innovation, engineering expertise, and fostering the next generation of industry leaders,” said Hamid Akhavan, president and CEO at EchoStar. “The products imagined, designed, and fabricated in this building further advance our mission of connecting everyone, everywhere.”
