Aerial Refueling Communication Using Solar Blind Ultraviolet Radiation

Mission Research Corporation (MRC) proposes to analyze and develop and aerial refueling communication system that uses Solar Blind Ultraviolet (SBUV) radiation, from 220 to 280 nm, as the communication carrier. The advantage of SBUV is that the propagated links can be both non-line-of-sight (NLOS) and have a very low probability of interception and detection (LPI/LPD). Minimum terrestrial background radiation in the SBUV band enables the communication links to be operated at very low power levels day or night. Communication between aircraft during aerial refueling missions is currently limited to sub-desirable techniques when radio silence conditions are required. SBUV communication techniques can greatly improve both the safety and operational capabilities during critical air-to-air refueling missions by providing both voice and data communications channels between the aircraft involved.