Optical communications is an emerging technology area that overlaps with current NIWC Atlantic industry and academic partners, and it addresses several capability gaps identified by operational and transitional sponsors at Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC)’s Terrestrial High Capacity Communications (THC2); Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I); Special Operations Command for Science and Technology (SOCOM S&T); Central Command Directorate for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (CENTCOM J8); Office of Naval Research (ONR) Code 32; and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command for Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (DEVCOM C5ISR).

Why 3-PATH MONTE ANTX?

Mitigating the effects of spectrum congestion in the contested operational threat environment is of paramount concern to naval and joint operational forces. To help NIWC Atlantic address capability gaps identified by DOD leaders, the 3-Path MONTE ANTX seeks mature, field-ready prototypes from industry, academia and government entities that demonstrate technology solutions enabling non-RF transmissions that won’t degrade existing capabilities.

How it works

Five optical communications solutions will be evaluated for fixed, mobile and multi-point communications networks, to support Low Probability of Intercept/Detection communications in contested environments. Single system or family of systems capabilities must have active pointing, acquisition and tracking systems for maintaining links in dynamic environments and to address the following experimental objectives.

• Fixed Path (Ground to Ground)
• Mobile Path (Ground [Fixed] to Ground [Vehicle] or Ground [Fixed] to Air [Mobile])
• Multi-Point Path (Ground or Aerial Relay, e.g. Ground-Vehicle-Vehicle or Ground-Air-Vehicle)