| Reliable high rate (Gbps) communications between airborne, satellite and mobile ground platforms will soon be insertable into DoD systems, due to maturation of airborne laser and radio frequency (rf) communications terminals and networks. We review recent accomplishments of the USAF’s airborne lasercom terminal (ALT) program, in particular prototype development of an ALT capable of dull-duplex Gbps link closure to a geostationary satellite. At rf, BW-efficient DSP modems can now operate in excess of 10 bps/Hz over 100’s of MHz and higher, resulting in OC-48 rates (2.5 Gbps). DARPA’s ORCLE (optical-rf combined link experiment) program continues to develop key subsystems and field-demonstrate the benefits of hybrid optical and rf propagation for air-air and air-ground links and networks. We review key hardware development and testing accomplishments in these programs, followed by a candidate operational airborne system application. |