Military & Defense News

  1. 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.

  2. Future Use Of Electro-Optical Sensors By The Defense Industry 4/9/2024

    Electro-optical sensors are indispensable tools for modern military operations. As technology advances, these sensors will continue to evolve, providing enhanced situational awareness and lethality to military forces.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. John Bell, Quantum, And Faster Communication 1/30/2024

    Scientists from Russia and China have achieved a significant quantum communication milestone by establishing a secure link over a distance of nearly 2,400 miles utilizing China's quantum satellite, Mozi. Highly secure due to its resistance to hacking, quantum communication holds potential applications in fields like finance, government, and defense.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.)

  8. 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.

  9. Enhancing Military Capabilities: The Power Of Infrared Technology 12/1/2023

    Military applications of infrared technology have rapidly evolved, enhancing detection capabilities and aiding in various critical operations. You can add maintaining temperature stability and improving tracking to the list.

  10. 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?