Qinetiq Flies UAS Using Laser Communications System

UK Army Boeing AH-64 Apache
UK Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter at the Salisbury Plain Training Area, England.
Credit: Alamy stock photo
LONDON—UK defense technology company Qinetiq has flown an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) using a laser communication system, in what it says is the world’s first. The company says the Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) technology could enable covert, low-detection operations by such platforms...
Tony Osborne

Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines.

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