Elizabeth Leigh
Exelis and NovaSol have concluded a month-long evaluation of a free-space optical communications platform intended to help the U.S. Navy transfer data while in the field.
The Tactical Line-of-Sight Optical Network system is included in the Office of Naval Research‘s plans to add networks, software and other information technology components into warfare strategy building, Exelis said Monday.
“Free-space optical communications systems provide fighting forces with a high-capacity data link that is not reliant on hardline connections, such as fiber cables,“ said Joe Rambala, vice president and general manager of integrated electronic warfare systems at Exelis.
“As the battlefield becomes more data-driven, ensuring warfighters are equipped with the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it, is critical to mission success,“ Rambala added.
The Naval Research Laboratory helped carry out the three-phase assessment to test how the ruggedized platform works to wirelessly transfer images and videos at 100 megabits per second over a 31 miles distance from both mobile and stationary positions and in high-wind situations.
TALON was also able to maintain a data link for two Marine Corps Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast Systems.
The tests took place at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif.; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.; and the NRL’s Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Maryland.
The network communications system is part of a Future Naval Capability vehicle.
