Bandwidth enhancements for the army tactical network through laser communications

Current on-the-move network applications rely heavily on RF solutions to maintain mobility while providing adequate voice, video and data solutions. These applications demand the ability to quickly establish a network infrastructure and to be able to break down and move on when required. While existing RF technologies allow the user to remain mobile in the field, the future of on-the-move communications will demand a higher bandwidth than the current RF solutions can handle. This paper will explore the current efforts being made by the Army in the exploration of laser communications as a solution for these high bandwidth applications.