Oct 1 2010
QinetiQ has received a $31.8 million contract to develop and construct a blue laser system for secret communications between an aircraft and a submarine.
Submarine comms
Under the Tactical Relay Information Network (TRITON) program, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded the contract. The DARPA will conduct a live assessment of the laser system for a naval exercise in the middle of 2012.
QinetiQ is currently working on the Submarine-Enabling Airborne Data Exchange and Enhancement Program (SEADEEP), a blue-laser communication system. This laser system can be transported using an unmanned aerial vehicle for supporting submarines.
DARPA has developed new cesium atomic line filters (ALFs) and blue solid-state lasers to generate emission at 459 and 455 nm wavelength. DARPA feels that the major component technologies are suitable enough for the use in an operational defense system. The first phase of the TRITON program includes development of cesium ALFs and multiple blue laser transmitter modules. Meanwhile, the development of downlink laser systems, laser uplink, and receivers will also be done simultaneously.