FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Department has awarded QinetiQ a contract to develop a blue laser communications system.
The $31.8 million contract tasks QinetiQ with developing the laser system to allow classified communications between aircraft and submarines.
The Defense Department's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded the contract under its Tactical Relay Information Network program. DARPA has schedule a live assessment test of the laser system for a naval exercise in mid-2012.
Communications with submerged submarines has always been a problem. In the past ultra-low frequency electromagnetic waves have been used but proved to be a slow method of communicating.
To overcome the communications time lag, DARPA developed cesium atomic line filters and blue solid-state lasers to generate emission and said that the major component technologies are mature enough to develop an operational defense system.
While the TRITON program will initially concentrate on the development of cesium ALFs and multiple blue laser transmitter modules work will also proceed on the development of attendant downlink laser systems, laser uplink and receivers.
