Fortress Solutions Completes First U.S.-Designed and Assembled O-RAN Radio

The milestone marks progress in Fortress Solutions' partnership with Airspan Networks to accelerate U.S.-based Open RAN technology development.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Fortress Solutions, a provider of mission-critical infrastructure services, announced the completion of an O-RAN radio unit under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF) NOFO 2 program. This milestone is part of Fortress Solutions' expanding partnership with Airspan Networks, which was awarded a $42.7 million grant to advance U.S.-based Open RAN technologies.

Why it matters

The successful development of this O-RAN radio unit, designed and assembled in the U.S., represents progress toward national goals around U.S. wireless innovation and the next generation of Open RAN adoption. The partnership between Fortress Solutions and Airspan aims to create high-performance, interoperable radio units that can help build a more secure and resilient wireless ecosystem.

The details

As part of the NTIA NOFO 2 program, Fortress Solutions has expanded its role beyond component procurement, radio assembly, and validation testing to include printed circuit board (PCB) design and fabrication support, software/firmware development, engineering analysis, test plan development, and unit assembly and testing. The completed O-RAN radio unit will undergo further evaluation and serve as the foundation for additional Open RAN radios planned under the program.

  • In 2024, Airspan was selected as a recipient of the NTIA's Innovation Fund Round 2.
  • On February 18, 2026, Fortress Solutions announced the completion of the first U.S.-designed and assembled O-RAN radio unit.

The players

Fortress Solutions

A trusted provider of mission-critical infrastructure services that is playing an expanding and strategic role in the NTIA NOFO 2 program.

Airspan Networks Inc.

A U.S.-based provider of wireless network solutions that was awarded a $42.7 million grant to accelerate the development and commercialization of U.S.-based Open RAN technologies.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

A federal agency that oversees the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (PWSCIF) NOFO 2 program, which is focused on advancing the development of interoperability standards-based, Open RAN radio units.

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What they’re saying

“Completing the first O-RAN radio unit is a major achievement not just for Fortress Solutions and Airspan, but for the advancement of U.S.-based Open RAN innovation.”

— John Shelnutt, CEO of Fortress Solutions (PRNewswire)

“This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with Fortress and our mutual commitment to accelerating Open RAN radio development in the U.S.”

— Glenn Laxdal, CEO of Airspan (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The completed O-RAN radio unit will undergo further evaluation in alignment with NTIA program milestones and serve as the foundation for additional Open RAN radio units planned under the NOFO 2 program.

The takeaway

The successful development of this U.S.-designed and assembled O-RAN radio unit demonstrates the progress being made by Fortress Solutions and Airspan to advance Open RAN technology and support national goals around wireless innovation and a more secure, resilient wireless ecosystem.