Military & Defense News

  1. The Current State And Outlook Of Directed Energy Weapons 9/30/2022

    From high-energy lasers to high-power radio frequency devices and more, directed energy weapons are increasingly ubiquitous. But what are these technologies, and how are they changing the way the military operates?

  2. Bright Ideas — Defense Prime CEOs Sanctioned By China, DARPA To Give Small Biz 'Classified' Access 9/21/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, China sanctioned two defense prime contractors' CEOs, DARPA opens a new program to give small businesses access to classified endeavors, and SPIE Startup Challenge is now accepting applications. 

  3. Bright Ideas — HELIOS Headed to Navy, "Sun Glint" Reveals Offshore Methane Emissions 8/24/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, "sun glint" offers more precise look at offshore methane emissions, Lockheed Martin prepares to deliver its HELIOS laser weapon to the U.S. Navy, and scientists pursue replacement for LEDs.

  4. Bright Ideas — SDA Seeks Demo For Space-To-Aircraft Laser Communications, Cats & Coffee Latest Benefactors Of Laser Innovation 8/10/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is again looking for a vendor to demo laser crosslinks between orbiting satellites and moving aircraft, France is trying out a new anti-drone laser weapon ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, and Trumpf is taking the shipping crises into its own hands. 

  5. WANTED: Industry Innovators To Nurture Defense, National Security Advances 8/5/2022

    The U.S. government relies heavily on its relationship with industry and academia and their combined ability to provide nutritive technologies and solutions in military and defense, national security, space exploration, medical advances, and more. And the opportunities are plenty. 

  6. Bright Ideas — Laser Systems Needed To Refuel UAS, Everlasting Laser Built With BEC 6/29/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, DARPA is asking industry to help outfit refueling aircraft with lasers to recharge UAS, an everlasting laser is built with Bose-Einstein Condensate, and nanoscale flying robots with light-up wings are explored as light-based communicators.

  7. Bright Ideas — NASA To Reveal First JWST Color Images, Optical Laser Communications Advances 6/17/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, NASA announced the first images from JWST will be revealed on July 12. Northrop Grumman and BlueHalo are making strides in optical laser communications. And, Optica covers the Russia-Ukraine war by chronicling the challenges faced by researchers whose personal lives and scientific work are threatened by the conflict. 

  8. Bright Ideas — DoD Strategic Review To Determine Space Weapon Priorities, Mitsubishi Electric Claims First Laser Terminal To Integrate Spatial Acquisition 6/8/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, the DoD affirmed that it will supply the the Biden Administration with the results of a strategic space review that aims to determine the appropriate mix of offensive and defensive capabilities. Plus, Mitsubishi Electric claims it has developed the first laser terminal that employs both optical communication and spatial laser acquisition. 

  9. Bright Ideas — Russia's Latest Laser Weapon Likely All Talk, "Wonder Material" Graphyne Created 5/23/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, a Russian official says the country's newest directed-energy laser weapon can "burn up" a target — and critics balk at the claim. Scientists are on their way to developing a usable amount of graphyne. Plus, DARPA and CACI successfully conducted optical communication between satellites in LEO.

  10. Bright Ideas — HEL & Hypersonic Weapons Tests Successful, High-Quality Graphene-hBN Deposition Method Proves Scalable 4/20/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, two laser weapon system effectively upended their targets, while a hypersonic weapon carried out its second successful training test. Plus, University of Michigan researchers have established a scalable deposition method for developing hBN on graphene, potentially leading the way for new deep-UV LEDs and quantum technologies.