Astrolight, a Lithuanian space and defense technology company, has successfully completed a significant test of its POLARIS laser communication terminal in the Baltic Sea, establishing a secure and unjammable free-space laser link between two vessels of the Lithuanian Navy. This achievement marks a pivotal moment, demonstrating the operational readiness of laser-based communication in a tactical maritime environment.
According to an official company announcement, this milestone proves that laser-based communication is not just a concept for the future but is viable and operational today, particularly in an era where radio interference and jamming pose significant threats to maritime communications. The trial took place in the Baltic Sea, a region increasingly experiencing incidents of radio interference affecting ship communications and geolocation, underscoring the critical need for resilient connectivity.
Lieutenant Commander Justinas Žukauskas, a Senior Specialist at the Naval and Air Combat Platforms Division of the Defence Resource Agency under the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania, commented on the value of this capability. He stated that secure, high-bandwidth, and low-signature communication is “especially valuable for naval operations when it matters most.” The POLARIS system, as explained by Astrolight, transmits data using an invisible, safe laser beam, enabling high-speed information transfer between platforms up to 50 kilometers apart at speeds of up to 1 Gbps. A key advantage over traditional radio-based communication is the signal’s inherent difficulty to detect and jam, making it ideal for radio-silent or radio-denied environments.
During the demonstration, the POLARIS terminal rapidly established and maintained a stable connection throughout the mission, confirming its ability to operate entirely outside the radio frequency spectrum. Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight, reportedly highlighted that “wartime reality shows that secure, high-speed communication shouldn’t rely only on vulnerable radio signals,” and that this demonstration proves their technology is ready to address this challenge.
Looking ahead, the prototype will be handed over for continued testing and integration into the structures of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. LCDR Žukauskas mentioned that this will strengthen Lithuania’s national defense and support NATO’s broader goals in resilient communications. Astrolight also confirmed further testing will take place with the Lithuanian Navy and in upcoming NATO exercises.
The development of the POLARIS system was initiated through the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence’s national defense technology development program. Astrolight expressed gratitude to the Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Navy, the Innovation Agency (Inovacijų agentūra), and other supporters who contributed to the project’s success. This collaboration signifies a strategic leap in ensuring robust and secure communication capabilities for naval forces in increasingly contested maritime domains.
