LGS Innovations LLC – along with Linden Photonics and Tethers Unlimited – will aim to develop the world’s strongest neutrally-buoyant undersea cable for an undersea fiber optic based network. Under the terms of the contract, LGS will provide model simulations, design and analysis as well as scaled development and demonstration for the technology over a period of 15 months.
“The goal of the program is to ensure that our armed forces retain an information advantage even in contested environments where potential adversaries may attempt to disrupt other communication channels,” said LGS Innovations CEO Kevin Kelly.
The DARPA TUNA program seeks to develop and demonstrate novel optical-fiber-based technology options and designs to temporarily restore tactical data network connectivity in a contested environment. TUNA is currently in an initial phase that emphasizes concept and technology development in three technical areas: system design, small fiber optic cable systems and buoy nodes.
During this first phase, system design performers are aiming to develop novel system architecture designs that integrate a military tactical data network into a rapidly deployable temporary undersea network. Meanwhile, small fiber optic cable systems performers are seeking to develop lightweight, buoyant unpowered optical fiber technologies capable of surviving deployment and operation in the ocean for at least 30 days. Buoy nodes performers are tasked todevelop rapidly deployable buoy node designs and component technologies.
DARPA envisions a second phase to implement an integrated end-to-end system, and to test and evaluate this system in a laboratory setting, simulations and at-sea demonstrations.