Lithuanian space and defense technology firm Astrolight successfully demonstrated its POLARIS laser communication terminal during NATO’s recent Digital Backbone Experimentation (DiBaX). The exercise, conducted on NATO’s Eastern flank in Latvia, highlighted the capability of free-space optical communication to maintain secure data links in environments heavily contested by electronic warfare.
- The POLARIS terminal maintained continuous operation for nine days, proving resilient in rain, fog, and radio-denied zones.
- Laser communication offers data transmission speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional radio frequencies (RF) and cannot be jammed by conventional means.
- The technology addresses critical NATO needs amidst intensifying GPS and RF jamming incidents originating from Russia and the Kaliningrad region.
Resilience in Contested Environments
The DiBaX exercise took place from October 27 to November 7 at the Ādaži military base in Latvia and virtually across the Alliance. Throughout the nine-day event, Astrolight deployed two POLARIS laser terminals on land. These units operated continuously, successfully establishing interoperability with military communication infrastructure to connect a main base with an ad-hoc remote command post.
The demonstration addressed a growing tactical challenge: the vulnerability of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. “As GPS-jamming and interference cases are rising in NATO territories, military communication is becoming a full-scale battlefield,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “DiBaX demonstrated that our technology can provide the speed, volume, and security of data transmission needed for modern tactical operations on land, which traditional communication methods struggle to support.”
Standard military operations rely heavily on RF, which suffers from limited bandwidth and susceptibility to interception and jamming. In contrast, the laser communications tested by Astrolight provide data rates up to 100 times faster than RF and are immune to conventional electronic warfare jamming. Furthermore, the directional nature of the laser beam minimizes emissions, making the position of military units significantly harder to detect.
Operational Viability in Harsh Conditions
A primary concern for free-space optical communication is weather interference. However, during the DiBaX event, the terminals maintained consistent data transmission despite adverse weather, including rain, fog, and wind. Mačiulis noted that the system was designed to meet demanding NATO requirements, featuring a compact form factor for reliable deployment across land, sea, air, and space platforms.
This deployment follows a trajectory of successful trials for the company. In July 2025, Astrolight tested the POLARIS system with the Lithuanian Navy, establishing stable ship-to-ship laser links in the Baltic Sea [edrmagazine.eu]. The company has also participated in the REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger exercise, led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, further validating the technology for maritime operations.
Strategic Importance for the Eastern Flank
The urgency for unjammable communication systems is driven by the geopolitical reality of the Baltic region. Near-daily electronic warfare pressure, including GPS and RF jamming originating from Russia and the Kaliningrad region, has intensified in recent months. These incidents have impacted operations across the Eastern flank, Europe, and the Middle East, underscoring the necessity for alternative communication backbones.
The DiBaX exercise was led by NATO Allied Command Transformation and the Latvian Ministry of Defence, and hosted by Latvian Mobile Telephone. The event focused on integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into complex operational environments [mod.gov.lv]. This focus coincides with increased vigilance among European NATO members, including Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Belgium, regarding recent drone incursions and airspace security challenges.
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