DiCon Optical Switch Tested in Boeing P-8A

DiCon Fiberoptics Inc. announced that its secure switching unit (SSU) operated successfully in Boeing’s first mission systems test flight of the new P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The SSU all-optical switching solution allows secure fiber optic signals to be routed as required by utilizing DiCon’s proven microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) optical switches. The P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft is being developed by the Chicago-based Boeing company. The US Navy plans on using the new aircraft to replace its P-3C Orion fleet with initial operational capability planned for 2013.

The 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 unit incorporates DiCon’s MEMS fiber optic switches. 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 and their frictionless design allows them to operate for billions of switch cycles.

For more information, visit: www.diconfiberoptics.com or www.boeing.com