Fiber Optics are finding new roles in defense capabilities. Usually confined to data transmission and secure comm’s, fiber optics role in active defense deployments is taking a new form with a partnership between XENOptics and OPTOKON.
Drones have been one of the newest armaments and biggest challenges of the Ukraine – Russian conflict, with new drone devices being deployed for surveillance, attack and defense at a scale not seen before. However, all remote-controlled drones face issues with maintaining communication links with their operators, with the main defense against drones being radio jamming devices.
OPTOKON has long been testing and developing a new era of fiber optic drone control – not as a distant vision, but as a real working technology, proven in operational conditions.
At a time when ensuring information security, resistance to radio interference and the effective deployment of unmanned systems are becoming key factors in defence and industrial environments, OPTOKON is coming up with concrete solutions. We first presented these solutions at SAHA EXPO 2024, where they were very well received.
Key product: the Fiber Drum and transceivers
The core of our portfolio is the Fiber Drum - a lightweight and powerful fiber optic spool that enables manual control of drones up to 20 km away without any radio transmission. This connection makes the drones completely immune to electronic interference (jamming) and invisible to radar or signal tracking as they emit no electromagnetic traces.
In conjunction with our optical-electrical transceivers, a fully functional communication channel between the operator and the drone is created - safe, robust, instantly deployable. The products are modular and easily integrated into various platforms - both in defence structures and in the civilian industry (e.g. energy, crisis management, infrastructure monitoring).
FiberTron Hive - Smart Hive Concept Introduced
Our cooperation with the technology company XENOptics from Thailand has brought new possibilities to the control and automation of optically connected systems. We decided to integrate their XSOS Smart Optical Switch - a technology for intelligent fiber optic switching - as an important building block in the broader OPTOKON development framework.
Find out more about XenOptics and their Smart Optical Switch here
On this basis, we are introducing a technology concept called FiberTron Hive - a smart base for coordinating a swarm of up to 200 fiber-optic-connected drones. This proposal shows a possible direction for the development of systems for drone operations in the future, where automation, low detectability and high security will play a key role.
The FiberTron Hive is designed as an autonomous control centre that could combine fibre optic links, satellite connectivity and smart mission control in the future, with minimal need for human intervention. We see applications for the concept particularly in high-interference environments, in crisis areas or wherever there is a need to deploy a large number of drones without relying on radio communications.
Although this is a concept in the presentation phase, it serves as a strong technological vision and a basis for future collaboration, development and testing. Unlike specific products we already offer (e.g., Fiber Drum and transducers), the FiberTron Hive represents the next possible step in fully optically controlled drone deployment systems.
Solomon Sokolovsky, COO and co-Founder of XENOptics stated:
“XENOptics is very proud to be partnered with OPTOKON to support their vision of modern drone deployments. With XENOptics’ Smart Optical Switches already deployed in defense departments, this is a natural and innovative evolution of our solution that takes automated remote fiber switching to the battlefield.”
About XENOptics
XENOptics was founded in 2016 with a vision of automating Fiber Optic networks at Layer 0 level, where core network capabilities begin. By providing automation and remote control of connections and disconnections, testing monitoring networks XENOptics seeks to bring all network operations into a modern, software defined operating model. XENOptics patented robotic automation was the first fully passive, non-disruptive and field replaceable solution for fiber automation. Now delivered in a range of form factors and fiber counts, XENOptics Smart Optical Switches are at the core of modern network operations for Telco’s, Defense, Data Centers and Smart Cities.
XENOptics manufactures Smart Optical Switches in Thailand in our state-of-the-art facility; corporate head office is Melbourne Australia; Sales and support representatives available globally. For more information, please see xenoptics.com.
Media Contact:
Jon Tinberg
Head of Marketing
jont@xenoptics.com
www.xenoptics.com
About OPTOKON a.s.
OPTOKON, a.s., based in Jihlava, Czech Republic, is a leading global provider of connectivity and IT infrastructure solutions. Founded in 1991, the company continues the tradition of optical fiber production from the former TESLA enterprise. From 1996 to 2011, it served as the main development center for Methode Electronics. Today, OPTOKON Group delivers high-quality fiber optic and optoelectronic technologies, including FTTx solutions, test equipment, and advanced tactical military systems. Certified under ISO 9001 and NATO CAGE: 1583G, OPTOKON operates in over 64 countries, focusing on innovation, reliability, and sustainable development for telecommunications, defense, and industrial sectors.
For more information, visit the OPTOKON website
