OVERVIEW
The modern battlefield is evolving into a network centric arena where massive real time information needs to be communicated to all of the participant forces in a coherent, reliable and organized manner. This applies to fixed station centers and mobile platforms (aircraft, ships, UAV, etc.). At the same time, in the homeland, communication and networking solutions are needed for asymmetric threats (terrorist attacks). In both cases, the massive amounts of real-time computer and imaging data that need to be communicated on the ground and on supporting platforms, require broadband, high-capacity, reliable and robust networks. Fiber optic networks answer this requirement and have been field tested and deployed for over a decade now in the commercial and some defense markets. Furthermore, the ability to leverage commercial off the shelf (COTS) technology makes this a cost-effective and readily available solution.

Military designers are realizing that all backbone architectures are switching from copper to optics. Original fiber optic systems on the new F-22 jet fighter and Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), as well as upgrades to the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft and F/A-18 fighter-bomber, are primary evidence that copper backbones are disappearing. The US Navy’s next generation destroyer (DDX) is another crucial program involving fiber optics.

The main reasons for this trend are need for increased bandwidth, no electromagnetic interference (EMI), improved field maintenance and support and equally important, reduced weight. Copper transmission lines require secondary and even tertiary shielding and the weight of that shielding begins to become a major percentage of the weight of the raw structure. In upgrade programs, heavy copper harnesses can be removed, enhancing aircraft performance. Battlefield communications are shifting to optical fiber because it is easily transportable, difficult to break into and the optical transmission is immune to EMI, which protects the data being transmitted.

The services are now saying it is not a question of if but when fiber optics will be prevalent. Many systems being designed and built now have some plans to integrate fiber optics. There is no limit to fiber optics in future platforms.