Exelis And NovaSol Successfully Complete Evaluation Of TALON

Exelis announced that the company along with its development partner Innovative Technology Solutions (News - Alert) Inc., (NovaSol) has effectively completed the evaluation of Tactical Line-of-Sight Optical Network (TALON), the jointly developed free-space optical communications system. The evaluation was undertaken in association with U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

In a release, Joe Rambala, Vice President and General Manager of Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems Business at Exelis, said “Free-space optical communications systems provide fighting forces with a high-capacity data link that is not reliant on hardline connections, such as fiber cables. As the battlefield becomes more data-driven, ensuring warfighters are equipped with the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it, is critical to mission success.”

The evaluation encompassed a series of tests conducted to confirm the TALON’s ability to transmit high-resolution imagery and video of 100 megabits per second over a distance of more than 50 kilometers. With highly ruggedized features, TALON was also able to capture and maintain, during the transmission, a data link between two Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast Systems of US Marine Corps.

Speaking of the partnership with Exelis, Dr. Rick Holasek, President and Chief Executive Officer at NovaSol, said “NovaSol has been at the forefront of tactical laser communications for more than a decade, and these successful test exercises demonstrate the value of this experience. We look forward to working with Exelis and other partners to transition TALON successfully from research and development to a mission-ready product.”

TALON was jointly developed by Exelis and NovaSol under the aegis of Future Naval Capability program funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The system uses narrow beam laser energy to transmit data with 1,000 times faster operating speed compared to the standard Radio Frequency systems. The narrow beam laser is nearly invisible making it very difficult to intercept the transmission.

Exelis is engaged in the development of technology and solutions for timing and navigation, air traffic solutions, sensors, communications and information systems, image processing and distribution, logistics and technical services. The company also has interests in areas such as ISR and analytics, composite aerostructures and electronic warfare.

NovaSol is engaged in the engineering development, research and productization of optical systems covering infrared to ultra-violet spectrums featuring panchromatic to ultra-spectral resolutions.