Aviation & Aerospace News

41. A Look At The Optics That Drive UAVs 4/16/2024

    The UAV market is poised to hit $38.3B by 2027, driven by demand from both military and commercial sectors. Optics and fiber optics play a crucial role in keeping UAVs in the air.

42. SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing: Uniting The Photonics Industry And Business 4/5/2024

    Bringing industry and key stakeholders together to ensure that both the optics and photonics industry and the U.S. Government are positioned to take advantage of each other’s strengths and ongoing programs.

43. How To Protect Your Camera When Photographing An Eclipse 3/26/2024

    If you’re going to watch the eclipse, be sure to protect your eyes. But don’t forget your camera – it needs protection, too.

44. Is Astrophotonics The Key To Discovering Alien Life? 3/21/2024

    Astrophotonics has the potential to revolutionize exoplanet research and, quite possibly, help discover alien life.

45. Double Vision A Look At Machine And Computer Vision 2/15/2024

    Simply put, machine vision is a technology that gives industrial equipment the ability to “see” what it is doing while computer vision is an AI that processes and visualizes information, much like a human would. But things in this life aren’t always simple, are they?

46. China, U.S. Launch “Doppelganger” Secretive Spaceplanes Within Weeks Of Each Other 1/26/2024

    In December 2023, the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B and China's Shenlong were launched. Both spaceplanes are shrouded in secrecy, though amateur trackers report Shenlong released six objects into orbit, fueling concerns about potential space warfare and the strategic implications of these developments. The secrecy surrounding both spaceplanes and their potential for espionage and conflict in space raises concerns about the vulnerability of the global commons in space.

47. 3 Rock-Solid Predictions (j/k) About What To Expect From Photonics In 2024 12/7/2023

    Before 2023 comes to an end we want to go on record with three things that we guarantee will happen in 2024.

    (Guarantee not valid anywhere, anytime, and/or any place. Void everywhere.)

48. 2023's Best: Methane Super Emitters, The Valley Of Death, Hidden Cities, And Maple Syrup 12/6/2023

    It’s that time again. Let’s take a look at the most-read articles that appeared on Photonics Online this year. It’s got intrigue, suspense, and surprises. Oh, and infrared, LiDAR, and so much more.

49. LiDAR Filters The Unsung Hero In Reaching Level 3 Autonomy 11/27/2023

    Mercedes-Benz plans a limited launch of its Drive Pilot system in 2024, the first to market with a Level 3 autonomous driving system. LiDAR is playing an instrumental role in the progression to Level 3 autonomy, aided by the unsung hero: LiDAR filters.

50. Beyond Iron Dome: Is Defending Against DEWs Possible 11/20/2023

    As of this writing the conflict between Israel and Hamas is approaching 50 days (or 36 years, depending on how you choose to define it). While Hamas most likely doesn’t have directed energy weapons at its disposal several countries do. Is an Iron Dome-like defense system possible for the inevitable day when directed energy weapons are used for an attack?