UK Turns to Li-Fi as a Secure Alternative to Wi-Fi in Weapons and Ammunition Production

In an effort to maintain secure and efficient communication within its weapons and ammunition production centers, the UK is exploring a cutting-edge technology known as Light Fidelity (Li-Fi). This initiative, spearheaded by the British Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) agency, represents a significant step forward in ensuring that critical military operations can continue smoothly even in environments where traditional Wi-Fi connectivity is either unavailable or poses a security risk.

Li-Fi is a wireless communication technology that uses visible light, infrared, or ultraviolet waves to transmit data between devices. Unlike Wi-Fi, which relies on radio waves, Li-Fi offers a radio frequency-free solution, making it ideal for use in sensitive military environments where the transmission of radio signals could interfere with complex armaments and shells. The potential for Li-Fi to provide stable, high-speed data transmission in these environments has made it a game-changer for the UK’s defense sector.

The DE&S is currently conducting evaluations of Li-Fi’s applications and accessibility at the Defence Munitions Gosport in Portsmouth. This site is a key facility for the assembly, integration, testing, and storage of weapons and ammunition. The absence of reliable connectivity in such specialized areas can significantly disrupt core activities, making the introduction of Li-Fi a potentially transformative development.

To bring this technology to life, the DE&S is collaborating with several key partners, including the agency’s Weapons Operating Center and Digital arms, the UK Strategic Command Defence Digital, and local companies Consolite Technology and Centiant International. These partnerships are critical to ensuring that Li-Fi is not only implemented effectively but also tailored to meet the specific needs of military production environments.

The benefits of Li-Fi in these settings are numerous. For one, it enhances productivity by enabling seamless online access to technical documentation, test plans, and operation notes. This is particularly important in facilities where real-time information sharing and collaboration between teams are essential for efficient operations. Additionally, Li-Fi’s ability to function without radio frequencies means it can be used safely in environments where traditional Wi-Fi would be too risky due to the presence of explosive materials.

Tom Brickell, Innovation Architect at UK Strategic Command Defence Digital, highlighted the impact of Li-Fi, stating, “The lack of connectivity in specialist areas at Defence Munitions sites can significantly disrupt core activity, so being able to bring new optical wireless communications technologies like Li-Fi to complex environments has been a real game changer.”

Moreover, Li-Fi offers enhanced cybersecurity protection, a critical consideration in military contexts. According to Nick Rice, CEO of Consolite Technology, “Li-Fi provides data where increased cyber security protection is desirable, and typically much faster data, more than 10 times the sort of speeds we see in our homes.” This increased speed and security make Li-Fi a highly attractive option for the UK’s defense sector.

The DE&S plans to conclude its Li-Fi tests later this year. The data collected from these tests will be crucial in informing future investments in this technology, potentially leading to widespread adoption across the UK’s weapons and ammunition production facilities.

As the UK continues to innovate in the defense sector, Li-Fi represents a promising solution to some of the most pressing challenges faced by military production environments. By providing a secure, fast, and reliable alternative to Wi-Fi, Li-Fi could become a cornerstone of the UK’s efforts to maintain its technological edge in the defense industry.