OPTIcal MilitAry Secure communications

ongoing

OPTIMAS will develop a robust free-space optical (FSO) communication solution for multi-domain defence applications, showcasing one of the most challenging demonstration cases for optical communications: the link between a UAV and a satellite with an astounding Gbps data rate, analysing the future incorporation of QKD capability. OPTIMAS will define, design, develop and test a prototype for airborne laser communication system (ALCoS) applicable to different satellite constellations (LEO, MEO and GEO) to be integrated into Air, Naval, C5ISR center and Land units. The OPTIMAS demonstrator will focus on three communication subsystems for secure and high-speed bidirectional communication: 1) A LEO satellite with accurate Pointing Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) function 2) Key enabling technologies for FSO communications 3) analysis to further include Quantum key distribution (QKD). During its 3.5-year duration, OPTIMAS will bring into service optical communications between satellite and UAVs, demonstrate scalability and interoperability in other domains, achieve demonstrable data rates of air and satellite link in the order of Gbps, ensure beam compensation related to atmospheric conditions and divergence generated by the atmosphere, and integrate into RPAS, easily adaptable to MALE RPAS. OPTIMAS relies on a balanced consortium of 12 beneficiaries from 7 European countries, built on the close interaction between large companies, 5 innovative SMEs, 3 mid-caps, and 3 research organisations. With its disruptive potential, in terms of transmission speed, miniaturisation of onboarded communication solutions, piezoelectric actuation, stability/agility/pointing and QKD integration, OPTIMAS will be a game changer for ultra-secure high-bandwidth communications in warfare and battle zones.