Navy Photonics
The Navy Photonics Program's goal was to develop and field technology in partnership with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office (Tactical Aircraft Programs) (PEO(T)) in a rapid research, development, and demonstration project. This effort pursued optoelectronic integration of state-of-the art radio frequency (RF) and digital photonics, RF and Digital integrated circuits and micro-electro-mechanics (MEMS) Technologies for embedded Aerospace applications. The photonics technology from this effort was aimed to develop a common optical backbone in place of many point-to-point links. The DARPA portion of the Navy Photonics Program addressed high-risk development areas including reduction of fiber optic device size. The results were to enable size reduction for placement of components in previously inaccessible locations (i.e., beyond the wing-fold). The desired results of this program were to have tighter integration of optical components with a decrease in unit size, increased reliability and decreased production costs. Based on the results of the risk reduction and accomplishments of this program, the goal of the operational transition into the Navy EA-6B Prowler and other tactical aircraft (i.e. EA-18, EA-35, E-2C, and MMA) was achieved.
Program Accomplishments:
- Developed a fiber optic backbone network capable of interconnecting to the transmitter side of an electronic aircraft podded jamming system.
- Designed optical components that will meet the volume, weight, and environmental specifications for an airborne platform.
- Integrated and reduced the size of the technology to allow the external optical interfaces to be positioned inside the electronic warfare equipment space.
- Performed flight demonstrations on the EA-6B Prowler showing the use of the fiber optical backbone interconnected to the electronic attack aircraft jamming systems.
