Spirent Communications (NYSE:SPM)(LSE:SPT) has announced its involvement with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide network testing expertise and equipment to help the department evaluate next-generation Internet technology known as Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) in order to support network-centric military operations.

The Defense Department has announced plans to migrate its existing Global Information Grid network to the new IPv6 technology by 2008. The next-generation Internet deployment is an important component of the department's goal of network-centric military operations.

This first Department of Defense testing series, called the Moonv6 project, is being coordinated by the Joint Interoperability Testing Command of the Defense Information Systems Agency and includes participation from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The tests will occur between national military and research networks located across the country, with support and participation from Spirent, the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL), the North American IPv6 Task Force and Internet2.

"IPv6 technology provides better security and increased flexibility and mobility," said Major Roswell Dixon, United States Marine Corp., and tactical networks test officer for the Joint Interoperability Testing Command. "These tests are important in helping ensure the U.S. military stays ahead in technology to support its mission of protecting the country."