Richmond, CA--DiCon Fiberoptics announced that its Secure Switching Unit--an all-optical switch that allows secure fiber-optic signals to be routed as required using DiCon’s proven microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) optical switch--was a successful participant in Boeing’s first mission systems test flight of the new P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The P-8A Poseidon is a new anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft that the U.S. Navy plans on using to replace their existing P-3C fleet.
"The successful test flight demonstrates yet again that our leading MEMS optical switch technology is ideal for use on board military aircraft," said Robert Schleicher, DiCon’s VP of product development. "We have taken our proven COTS fiber optic switch components and integrated these into the SSU in an unique way to offer Boeing a reliable way to route secure fiber optic signals in the P-8A."
The Secure Switching Unit (SSU) is a complete military spec, common criteria certified, all-optical switching solution. It is a completely passive device able to route secure fiber-optic signals as an automated fiber patch panel. The SSU incorporates DiCon’s MEMS fiber-optic switches, which DiCon says are the most proven and trusted fiber-optic switches in the Telecommunications industry. Hundreds of thousands of DiCon MEMS devices have shipped since the year 2000. Their compact size, low weight, low power consumption, and ability to withstand harsh environments make them ideal for use in military applications. In addition, their frictionless design allows them to operate for billions of switch cycles.
The successful in-flight testing was completed on June 8, 2010 in the T2 aircraft, one of five test aircraft. For more information on Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon’s first in-flight test of mission systems, go to http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1251.
SOURCE: DiCon Fiberoptics; www.diconfiberoptics.com
Posted by:Gail Overton
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