Lithuania’s Astrolight Successfully Demonstrates Laser Communication at Sea

In a remarkable stride for military communications, Lithuanian space and defence company Astrolight has successfully demonstrated its POLARIS free-space laser terminal during live sea trials in the Baltic Sea. Conducted in collaboration with the Lithuanian Navy, the test marks a significant breakthrough in secure, high-speed maritime communication, offering a reliable alternative to vulnerable radio-based systems.

The demonstration showcased the ability of POLARIS to deliver unjammable, interference-free data links between two naval vessels. As the Baltic Sea increasingly experiences radio interference and signal jamming, the need for stealthy, resilient communication methods has become more urgent. This laser-based system, operating entirely outside the traditional radio frequency (RF) spectrum, is designed to thrive in such contested environments.

During the trial, the POLARIS system rapidly established a connection and maintained a stable data link throughout the exercise. It proved capable of transmitting information at speeds of up to 1 Gbps over distances of up to 50 kilometers, offering both speed and reliability without compromising stealth.

“This demo proves that our technology is working well and is ready to address this challenge,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “In contested environments, radio silence isn’t just a precaution but a tactical necessity.”

The technology behind POLARIS relies on laser beams to transfer data between moving platforms, such as ships. Unlike radio signals that can be easily intercepted or jammed, laser beams are extremely difficult to detect or disrupt, making them ideal for covert military operations. Moreover, since they emit no radio waves, these systems help reduce a vessel’s electromagnetic signature, a critical advantage in modern naval warfare.

The initiative received strong backing from Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, which supported its development under the country’s national defence technology program. What began as a concept in a maritime hackathon has now evolved into a functional prototype, soon to be integrated into the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Commander Lieutenant Justinas Žukauskas, senior specialist at the Defence Resource Agency, highlighted the significance of the technology: “The successful demonstration confirms the system’s potential to deliver secure, high-bandwidth laser-based communication while significantly reducing electromagnetic signatures — a capability especially valuable for naval operations in a tactical environment like the Baltic Sea.”

The Lithuanian Navy, which stands to benefit directly from this innovation, will now proceed with further testing and integration of the POLARIS system. Astrolight has also confirmed that the terminal will participate in upcoming NATO exercises, positioning the technology as a candidate for wider deployment across allied fleets.

According to Dalius Petrulionis, Astrolight’s CTO, the system exceeded expectations in its first maritime test, showing promise even over horizon-limited distances. “This test proves that tactical communication can be faster, safer, and smarter,” he noted. “POLARIS wasn’t built to compete with radio – it was built to take over where radio fails.”

As defence forces globally look for reliable alternatives to radio communication, Astrolight’s successful sea trial of POLARIS may signal the arrival of a new era in digital battlefield communication—one where speed, security, and stealth come laser-focused.