Free Space Optical Communications is almost impossible to intercept or detect, as the laser beam travels directly from one platform to another over a very narrow path. RF communications systems rely upon broadcasting data widely over a pre-determined frequency, and encrypting it to prevent interception. Whilst not intended to replace RF communication there are scenarios where a direct and secure transfer of data makes more sense and optical is best placed to complement those RF technologies as part of an overall architecture. As sensors and the resulting data volumes increase exponentially, FSOC provides a scalable means by which to transport the data that will deliver information advantage. Optical communications is the equivalent of having fibre to your doorstep, offering multi-Gigabyte data links. Many military platforms have RF data links that operate at the speed of an old-fashioned modem. Just as fibre broadband has transformed our home and working environments, Free Space Optical Communication’s promises to transform the military battlespace. Laser based communications operates at many times the speed of RF communications links. Building on commercially available QinetiQ working with customers and partners to develop FSOC system suitable for military use cases. QinetiQ is developing a range of capabilities to help military customers meet their future connectivity challenges. It can provide high speed connectivity to link air, land and maritime platforms. Free Space Optical Communications offers an alternative. However, in some cases it is impossible or impractical to lay down fibre optic cable. In a highly contested and congested battlespace, sole reliance upon RF communication presents an adversary a highly promising attack vector offering the opportunity to jam or intercept critical communications links or to direction-find and engage our forces via kinetic means.įibre optic systems provide high-speed digital links across most of the globe. However, there is an inherent challenge in relying upon Radio Frequency (RF) communication its very nature makes it vulnerable to detection and to intercept. The requirements of bandwidth and connectivity are common to each of the Air, Maritime, Land and Space domains. The modern battlespace requires unprecedented levels of bandwidth and connectivity to distribute data in order to deliver an information advantage. ![]() QinetiQ believes that Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) – a technology originating in the commercial sector, offers true innovation that will unlock quantifiable increases in military capability. As the enemies ability to direction-find and intercept evolves and improves, our tactics will need to adapt, and new technologies will need to be embraced to rapidly deliver military advantage. Warfare has changed dramatically over the last few decades with modern militaries adopting principles like ‘collect once, use many times’ for ISR, for C4ISTAR and for planning in conflicts where ISTAR overmatch and air supremacy is guaranteed.
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