Safran Electronics & Defense Develops High-Speed Laser Optical Communication System for Military Use

Safran Electronics & Defense is developing a high-speed, secure laser optical communication system for military use, offering significant advantages over traditional radio communication.

Safran Electronics & Defense is creating a cutting-edge solution for transmitting and receiving optical communications via laser technology. This development will allow armed forces to exchange information at high speeds without the risk of jamming or interception, leveraging the company's expertise in inertial navigation, optronics, and communications.

The laser optical communication system consists of terminals capable of sending and receiving data encoded in a laser beam. One terminal transmits the data, while the other receives and converts it into digital information. This system will enable users to share messages, images, and videos over distances of tens of kilometers, or even further with relay satellites. 

Laser optical links provide several advantages over traditional radio communication, such as enhanced discretion and resistance to interference. Additionally, they offer high throughput, with speeds ranging from 5 Gb/s to 50 Gb/s. This is especially beneficial as the volume of data increases and data-intensive AI applications become more common.

A significant challenge for optical communication systems is maintaining a stable direct line of sight between two terminals, especially under variable conditions like heavy swell at sea. Safran Electronics & Defense has tackled this issue by leveraging its expertise in mobile platform-mounted optronic sights and satellite communication solutions.

Alexandre Ziegler, Executive Vice President of Safran Electronics & Defense's Defense Global Business Unit, stated, "We are one of the few companies worldwide capable of developing this technology at scale for military use. We have complete control over all the necessary technological components, and our teams deeply understand military requirements and technical issues across land, sea, air, and space."

Safran's innovation represents a significant step forward in secure military communications, providing a robust and efficient solution for modern defense needs.