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Application Briefs

Photonics/Optics

NEC Completes Design of Japan’s Optical Communication Demonstrator Satellite

NEC Corporation will develop a small technology demonstration satellite to conduct in-orbit verification of key technologies essential for realizing future optical communication satellite constellations, including optical communications, high-speed network routing design, and high-capacity millimeter-wave band communications. The design of the satellite-mounted equipment (payload) for this demonstration has now been completed. Read on to learn more.

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RF & Microwave Electronics

Developing User Terminals for ESA's Optical Communications Network

Kepler Communications, a Canadian satellite telecommunications provider operating the first commercial optical data relay constellation, is leading a group of industry...

Application Briefs

Defense

Marines Evaluate Fiber-Optic FPV Drones

U.S. Marines with Marine Expeditionary Force partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry professionals during a three-day event in January to evaluate first-person view small uncrewed aerial systems that use fiber optic cables, marking the U.S. Marine Corps’ first field evaluation of the technology for sUAS employment in contested environments. Read on to learn more.

Application Briefs

Power

A New Record for Optical Power Beaming

DARPA recognized the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory during their POWER Phase 2 Industry Day, for contributions to the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay program, which shattered existing records for optical power beaming over distance. Read on to learn more.

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RF & Microwave Electronics

German Satellite's Multispectral Camera Improves Weather Forecasting Data

The German Space Agency is planning the launch of the Metop-SGA1 satellite of the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)...

News

Photonics/Optics

Tweaking Analysis Tools to Give SAGE Advice

Under SBIR funding from Langley Research Center, Quartus Engineering of San Diego tested the tools it used to analyze optical assemblies for an atmosphere-observing satellite. With better modeling and analysis tools, Quartus and NASA hope to cut time and expense from future optical instrument design. Read on to learn more.

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Sensors/Data Acquisition

Using Squeezed Light to Develop Sensors That Defy Defense Limits

Raytheon’s BBN Technologies is developing next-generation, compact, low-power, deployable photonic sensors that will provide users with better awareness of environmental...

Articles

Photonics/Optics

Space Lasers: Aiming Towards Next Leap in Global Communications

Space lasers are transforming the world. Not the far-off future of science fiction, but the universe of how data and communications flow today — everywhere from deep space missions to countless applications here on earth, including consumer internet services, military operations, and banking transactions. Read on to learn more.

Briefs

Photonics/Optics

NRL Research Physicists Explore Fiber Optic Computing Using Distributed Feedback

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) researchers have outlined a novel contribution in fiber optics computing in a paper recently published in Communications Physics Journal that brings the Navy one step closer to faster, more efficient computing technologies.

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Aerospace

ATHENA Sensor Brings Generational Leap to Airborne MANPAD Protection

Since their introduction, Man-Portable Air Defense Systems – heat-seeking, shoulder-fired missiles – have been a persistent threat to U.S. Army aviation. Infrared...

Products

Information Technology

New Products

See the new products, including the NDT 1000 inspection system, a PU-5200 certifiable display computer, RJ45 connectors, servers, and more.

Briefs

Photonics/Optics

Free-Space Quantum Communications in Harsh Environments

The project aims to explore the possibility of all-weather secure quantum communication using macroscopic quantum states of light.

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Electronics & Computers

Euclid Space Telescope Begins Mission to Study Dark Energy and Matter

ESA’s Euclid spacecraft lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on July 1, 2023. The successful launch marks the...

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Photonics/Optics

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Enables Laser-Optical Measurement of Turbofan Thrust

Pratt & Whitney and Virginia Tech announced a pioneering new technology for calculating thrust using lasers to enable high-fidelity measurement of key gas...

Briefs

Photonics/Optics

Overcoming Performance Limitations of Distributed Brillouin Fiber Laser Sensors

Distributed fiber sensors are a powerful tool for structural health monitoring and environmental sensing due to their ability to remotely monitor the strain at 1,000s of locations using low-cost optical fiber.

Briefs

Sensors/Data Acquisition

Electro-Optic Materials Research

Here, a summary of the main lines of effort for the Electro-Optics Materials Research program including its goals and major accomplishments of the past five years.

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Aerospace

AFTC Gains New Test Capability

As weapon system designers continue to innovate for the defense of the nation, the Air Force Test Center must advance the test capabilities available to develop and prove the superiority of those systems...

Articles

Photonics/Optics

Designing Multi-Channel Microwave Radio Systems Using Optical Interconnects

Imagine if it was possible to build multi-channel microwave radio systems leveraging optical rather than copper interconnects.

Articles

Manned Systems

Designing A/D Converters for the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has four infrared cameras to view the stars.

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Aerospace

Optical Flow Visualization Applied to Jet Engine Testing

Working together with a local business and academic professionals at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) team members at Arnold...

Application Briefs

Unmanned Systems

Armed Drone System

The SMART SHOOTER system successfully completed live firing tests and is currently under advanced stages of development.

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Communications

Mounted Troops to Get High-Tech Situational Awareness Tools

Mounted armored vehicles such as the Bradley have long been used as heavy weapons platforms with long range sensors to hunt targets and provide armored transportation to dismounted...

Products

Electronics & Computers

New Products

CAD software, torque sensors, HD lenses, and more.

Briefs

Aerospace

Infrared Systems for Tactical Aviation: An Evolution in Military Affairs?

See why the military is trying to understand the chaotic evolutionary development of infrared (IR) systems

Application Briefs

Photonics/Optics

Hybrid Thermal and Red Dot Sight

The advanced MIL-STD Mepro TIGON sight has arrived.

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Electronics & Computers

Egypt’s Apache Helicopter Fleet to Get Upgraded Sensor Systems

Lockheed Martin received a $102 million contract award to upgrade 25 of Egypt’s AH-64D Apaches to the E-model version of the aircraft. This modernization for the Egyptian...

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Aerospace

Technology Companies Work to Combat Pilot Fatigue

Collins Aerospace and Seeing Machines, a leader in eye tracking and driver safety technology, are working together to develop and deliver revolutionary fatigue management technology...

Articles

Test & Measurement

Testing EMI Materials for Battlefield Applications

The testing of EMI materials must be rigorous and designed to predict performance over the lifetime of a material.

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Materials

Researchers Developing Prototype of Next-Gen Night Vision Technology

Three University of Arkansas researchers — electrical engineering professor Shui-Qing “Fisher” Yu, Distinguished Professor Greg Salamo, and Jin Hu, assistant...