The Impact Of Fiber Optics (Photonics) On Future Aircraft

Stanley Reich; Charles Ritter

doi:10.1117/12.963086

5 February 1990 The Impact Of Fiber Optics (Photonics) On Future Aircraft

Stanley Reich, Charles Ritter

Proceedings Volume 1170, Fiber Optic Smart Structures and Skins II; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.963086
Event: OE/FIBERS '89, 1989, Boston, United States

Abstract

Military aircraft design has been in a state of evolutionary development since its invention. After the first usage of aircraft for military applications in World War I, the military has been seeking ways of improving mission effectiveness to maintain military superiority. The military has been constantly searching for new methods and technologies to accomplish this goal. In the early days of aviation, there were clear distinctions and divisions between aircraft system functions. Although they all served to support the flight of the aircraft, they operated independently of each other. With the modern trend of developing a high degree of integration between the various aircraft systems, requirements are emerging for a group of new technologies to support this trend. One such group of emerging technologies is the combination of photonics, integrated optics and fiber optics. The integrated approach to the development of the avionics, non-avionics and airframe of the aircraft is part of the approach to improving aircraft mission effectiveness through enhanced mission function performance and associated susceptibility (reliability, availability, survivability). This paper will discuss the general evolution of aircraft and, in particular, the role of photonics, integrated optics and fiber optics on the avionics, non avionics and airframe of past and future aircraft. Included will be the relationship of these emerging optical technologies to the military programs involving smart structures and smart skins.

Citation Download Citation

Stanley Reich and Charles Ritter "The Impact Of Fiber Optics (Photonics) On Future Aircraft", Proc. SPIE 1170, Fiber Optic Smart Structures and Skins II, (5 February 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.963086

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available