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Leidos to support Air Force laser comms research

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Airmen assigned to the 156th Communications Flight, Puerto Rico Air National Guard set up the Joint Interoperability Site mobile communications equipment in support of Operation Borinqueneer Response exercise at Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center, March 19, 2015. The JIS provided communication interoperability between emergency first responder agencies and Air and Army National Guard elements during the earthquake and tsunami emergency scenario. The equipment is designed to establish communication through satellite connectivity and acts like a mobile command and control post when deployed during catastrophes and emergency situations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Pablo Pantoja)

Leidos has been awarded a $21 million Air Force laser research contract.

Under the contract, with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Leidos will provide “advanced technology exploration, development and research into optical beam control in the presence of atmospheric turbulence to develop, simulate, analyze, and characterize beam control systems for laser propagation and laser communication,” according to the Department of Defense contract announcement.

The work is scheduled for completion by January 2021.

About 

Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him at theuncommondefense.com. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.