High Speed Internet Testing Expected Mid-2006
Richard Scott of Jane's Defense Weekly -Amsterdam reported the Navy is set to begin trials of a new, two-way communications buoy for submarines. Delivery is set for March 2006, according to NSL excerpts found here. The Recoverable Tethered Optical-Fibre (RTOF) buoyant body, is a high bandwidth, fibre-optic tether paid out with nearly zero tension. In theory, the RTOF surfaces rapidly and will be stationary on the surface while the submarine maintains discrete speed and depth.
RTOF is rapidly recoverable with no telltale wake or plume. The RTOF development team is lead by Ultra Electronics Sonar, which has businesses in North America.
Current payload specifications include UHF SATCOM, internet protocol, GPS, and radar warning device. High speed, secure, 2-way data and comm's yes, but phoning home is doubtful.
posted by Vigilis @ 12:40 AM
2 Comments:
You mean I could blog while underway?
(Except for the fact that I'm going to be in drydock for a couple of years..)
Rob, only in theory. The channels are designated for encrypted command & control type data transmissions and other high priority, secure communications.
Pre-censored internet messaging is an eventual possibility, but can you imagine potential difficulties with VOIP. Not in the cards until la$@ers take over the DOD.
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