Accelerating Transition to Optical I/O in Next-Gen Defense Applications

Ayar Labs has been awarded Project KANAGAWA with goal of transitioning optical Input/Output (I/O) into the Defense Industrial Base while driving affordability and scalability for production By DA Staff / 14 Nov 2022

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

Ayar Labs has been awarded a $15 million multi-year prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in support of Project KANAGAWA (the Co-Packaged Analog-Drive High-Bandwidth Optical Input/Output Project).

This project will promote the next-level development of Ayar Labs’ optical interconnects to lead its transition into the Defense Department’s advanced packaging ecosystem.

The OTA was issued by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division to support the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) Trusted & Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) program.

“We look forward to working closely with Ayar Labs as part of Project KANAGAWA to benchmark its optical I/O chiplets and lasers toward the transition of this technology into large-scale defense applications,” said Dr. Joshua Hawke, Chief Engineer of RF & Optoelectronics, NSWC Crane, Radar Technologies Division and Execution Lead of the OUSD(R&E) Trusted & Assured Microelectronics program.

During the first phase of Project KANAGAWA (Task A), Ayar Labs will deliver its optical I/O chiplets and lasers at data rate bandwidth levels exceeding 2 Tbps and energy losses below 5pJ/bit. 

In phase two of the project, running parallel to Task A, Ayar Labs will collaborate with Intel, Lockheed Martin and Qorvo to develop and demonstrate co-packaged optical I/O solutions built on TeraPHY optical I/O chiplets and SuperNova multi-wavelength lasers, with the goal of advancing the supply chain ecosystem for domestic manufacturing of Ayar Labs’ optical I/O solution.

“Project KANAGAWA comes at an important time for both our nation and Ayar Labs as we look to mature US-based manufacturing for our optical I/O solutions,” said Charles Wuischpard, CEO of Ayar Labs. “We are excited to partner with the DoD, Intel, Lockheed Martin and Qorvo to not only strengthen our nation’s security by establishing domestic production of our optical I/O chiplets but also introduce next-generation defense architectures and systems.”

Co-packaged optics, which bring together photonic integrated circuits with electronic integrated circuits inside multi-chip packages, extend the reach of high-bandwidth data I/O. Ayar Labs believes MCPs leveraging the comany’s optical I/O are poised to significantly expand the capabilities of defense microelectronics. For example, this technology can generate dramatically higher data rates from the field-programmable gate arrays that process digital beamforming signals, opening the door to new phased array radar architectures.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Aurora Supports University Research on Autonomy, Battery Systems & UAM Design

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, supports NASA-backed university projects with tools, expertise, and testing to advance autonomy, battery systems, and urban air mobility (UAM) design

Jun 20, 2025
ROVs Deployed to Support Underwater Demining Across Ukraine

Deep Trekker has delivered sixteen REVOLUTION ROVs to Ukraine’s emergency services, supporting underwater demining operations through a UNDP-led initiative

Jun 20, 2025
DSI Unveils Speakers & Discussion Topics for Maritime Security Summit

Defense Strategies Institute has revealed the speaker lineup and key topics for the 2025 Maritime Security Summit, focusing on advancing U.S. maritime capabilities

Jun 20, 2025
New Lightweight EW Payload Enables Passive RF Detection

Thales has revealed an electronic warfare payload for drones, enabling all military units to passively detect and analyze RF threats in contested environments

Jun 20, 2025
Autonomous Tactical Vehicles Deployed for Live Mission Trials

Overland AI deployed its ULTRA autonomous vehicles across 15 live missions, where U.S. Army engineers executed end-to-end operations using OverWatch planning software

Jun 19, 2025
Honeywell Auxiliary Power & Environmental Control Systems Chosen for FLRAA Program

Honeywell’s advanced APU and thermal management technologies have been selected to support the U.S. Army’s next-generation Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program

Jun 19, 2025

Featured Content

Q&A: Periphery’s Approach to Cybersecurity & CRA Readiness

This Q&A explores how Periphery’s AI-powered platform secures embedded devices with real-time threat detection, supporting defence applications and EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance

Jun 18, 2025
Trillium Launches Advanced Gimbal for Medium & Long Range Reconnaissance

Trillium Engineering’s new HD45 LV R delivers advanced imaging performance in an ultra-light gimbal, optimized for long range and medium range ISR missions

Jun 11, 2025
Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight Tactical-Grade IMU

Honeywell has launched the HG3900 IMU, a compact tactical-grade unit with reduced size and power consumption while maintaining near-navigation-grade performance levels

Jun 10, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.