Airbus and VDL Group have joined forces to produce a laser communication terminal for aircraft known as UltraAir.
The UltraAir project is co-financed by Airbus and VDL, a Dutch high-tech industrial supplier which brings design for production to the partnership and will manufacture critical systems.
The two companies will prepare a demonstration of a prototype and a first flight test in 2024. A flight test of this industrialized prototype is planned in 2025 on an aircraft.
1. About UltraAir
UltraAir will enable the exchange of large amounts of data using laser beams in a network of ground stations and satellites in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the Earth.
This laser terminal will boast unparalleled technology, including a highly stable and precise optical mechatronic system, which will pave the way for data transmission rates that could reach several gigabits-per-second while providing anti-jamming and low probability of interception.
According to Airbus’ press release, UltraAir’s exceptional technology will allow military aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to connect within a multi-domain combat cloud thanks to laser-based satellite constellations such as Airbus’ SpaceDataHighway.
This technology is a key differentiator for providing multi-domain combat collaboration for government and defense customers. In the longer term, UltraAir could also be implemented on commercial aircraft to allow airline passengers to establish high-speed data connections.
UltraAir will allow military aircraft and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to connect within a multi-domain combat cloud thanks to laser-based satellite 🛰️ constellations such as Airbus’ #SpaceDataHighway. https://t.co/FynYZeVv4j
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) January 10, 2023
2. The benefits of laser communication
Laser communication technologies are the next revolution in satellite communications. Laser communication brings 1,000 times more data, 10 times faster than the current network. Laser links are also extremely difficult to intercept due to a much narrower beam. Thus, laser terminals can be lighter, consume less power and offer even better security than radio.
The UltraAir concept is based on a project led by Airbus and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). The project is supported by the ESA ScyLight (Secure and Laser Communication Technology) programme and by the “NxtGen Hightech” programme, as part of the Dutch Growth Fund, led by TNO and a large group of Dutch companies.
