| There have been some incredible developments in | | | | While it is intended for short range, line-of-sight |
| optical technology in recent years. One of the | | | | communications, it has proven to be highly |
| most interesting new products comes from a | | | | versatile in the field. |
| company called Torrey Pines Logic. It has been | | | | One application that has showed incredible promise |
| developed in partnership with the United States | | | | is during vessel boarding search and seizure. The |
| Navy, and it is currently being field tested for use | | | | device can be used to transmit biometric data of |
| in Iraq and beyond. It is called LightSpeed, and it | | | | passengers back to the ship. It is also ideal as a |
| just might revolutionize battlefield communications. | | | | secondary communications device during radio |
| The new device, developed with funding from the | | | | blackouts. LightSpeed is also being tested for use |
| Office of Naval Research, is a short-range | | | | in communications between submarines and |
| communications tool that will allow soldiers to talk | | | | aircraft, explosive ordinance disposal, and |
| on a secure channel up to two miles away, simply | | | | unmanned aerial vehicle landings. |
| by looking at one another. It uses infrared to | | | | Although the technology behind the LightSpeed |
| transmit audio and video data, and connects to a | | | | device has been around for some time, it was |
| standard pair of binoculars. It employs the use of | | | | not until 2003 that it first came to the attention |
| optical lenses to amplify the audio and video | | | | of the US Navy. It was discovered at a |
| signals. | | | | tradeshow by a Navy Commander, and submitted |
| Soldiers in the field can connect headphones and a | | | | to the Office of Naval Research's Tech Solutions |
| microphone to the binoculars to speak to one | | | | department. ONR's Tech Solutions is a program |
| another, so long as they are both using the same | | | | that allows Sailors and Marines to suggest |
| device. The great thing about LightSpeed is that it | | | | potential solutions to technology challenges. |
| is considerably more secure than traditional lasers | | | | LightSpeed received research and development |
| or radio. Furthermore, it is extremely low power. | | | | funding from the ONR in 2004, and current field |
| This is important because it is less susceptible to | | | | testing shows incredible promise. |
| being picked up and monitored by the other side. | | | | |