Edmond Scientific to Develop Advanced Satellite Optical Communications Terminal

Alexandria, Virginia (February 2024) –– Edmond Scientific was awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to develop an advanced Optical Communications Terminal (OCT) prototype that incorporates technology that will greatly improve laser communication performance through clouds and precipitation. The contract was awarded by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The effort involves development and testing of a prototype to verify performance under realistic conditions that would attenuate most laser communications operating in adverse weather and atmospheric conditions. The technology would bring revolutionary performance improvement to any line-of-sight communications link including all Satellite-to-Ground (S2G), Air-to-Space (A2S), Air-to-Ground (A2G), and other similar communications links that penetrate the atmosphere. Final prototype performance validation and acceptance by the Department of the Air Force will be made following successful range testing at an operational range in a contested environment under adverse weather conditions.

The effort highlights Edmond Scientific’s specialized ability to provide Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) services that support technology maturation of basic and applied research into effective technical and operational solutions that meet the demanding needs of our customers. For this effort, Edmond Scientific is proud to work with AFWERX/AFRL and other Department of Defense stakeholders to advance the development of dual-use systems that contribute to our national defense and enhance U.S. technological and economic superiority in highly competitive industries such as the international satellite communications industry.