AWS MDC launched to assist US Department of Defense

Deepming, Unsplash | AWS MDC

Key Takeaways

AWS has launched the Modular Data Center (MDC) to the U.S. Department of Defense, enabling deployment in infrastructure-limited locations.

AWS MDC supports low-latency applications for military operations and crisis response, allowing use of familiar AWS services in edge environments.

The introduction of AWS MDC aligns with the DoD's recent JWCC contract, which includes AWS among other cloud service providers selected to meet defense cloud needs.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled the availability of AWS Modular Data Center (MDC) to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

AWS MDC allows DoD agencies to deploy modular data centers managed by AWS in infrastructure-limited locations. AWS MDC is available as a self-contained modular data center unit: an environmentally controlled physical enclosure that can host racks of AWS Outposts or AWS Snow Family devices.

With AWS MDC, DoD agencies can run low-latency applications in infrastructure-limited environments for scenarios like large-scale military operations, crisis response, and security cooperation. The data center allows customers to use familiar AWS services, APIs, and tools in these edge locations. Using scalable and responsive technology, AWS MDC converts data centers from fixed infrastructure to a more manageable and flexible service.

The announcement follows recent DoD news regarding winners of its lucrative JWCC contract. AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure were all selected in December to share the $9bn contract.

In an AWS blog about the announcement, Liz Martin, director of the defense business at AWS, said: “As the digital battlefield continues to evolve, our defense customers increasingly need access to cloud capabilities at the tactical edge, including DDIL environments all over the world.

“With AWS Modular Data Center, we are converting data centers from fixed infrastructure that is difficult to build and manage in remote environments, to a comprehensive service that is simple to use, secure, cost-effective, and can respond to large-scale compute and storage needs wherever the mission demands.”