CACI produces advanced photonics-based communications, sensing, and processing technologies for space, air, land, and maritime environments. These include optical modems and terminals; high-power sources for free-space optical (FSO) communication and remote sensing; and space exploration systems.

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Read Linda Braun’s latest commentary, “Lighting the Future: How CACI is Revolutionizing Optical and Photonic Solutions,” to learn more about our advancements in optical communications for our defense, intelligence, and other national security customers.

CACI’s laser sensing technology enables near-term airborne and space light detection and ranging (LiDAR) applications mainly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where there is an increased need for wide-area surveillance and long-range object identification.

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There is no usual career path to Practical Lighting Electrician, often they will have worked their way through the Lighting Department. They need to be a fully qualified electrician, with relevant Health and Safety training.

CACI’s laser communications technology is aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, a first-of-its-kind deep space and optical communications (DSOC) technology demonstration mission to the Psyche asteroid.

CACI’s optical technologies enable highly secure communications in RF-challenged, restricted, or denied environments. Optical carrier frequencies can transmit more data with lower SWaP than comparable RF systems. Our optical technology has deployed onboard missions such as NASA’s integrated laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) now operating on the International Space Station.CICADA® PDF

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CACI’s laser communications technology is aboard NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, a first-of-its-kind deep space and optical communications (DSOC) technology demonstration mission to the Psyche asteroid.

CACI’s CrossBeam was the first Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant terminal to successfully complete optical communication terminal (OCT) interoperability testing - establishing a consistent data communication link with the reference modem.

The highly contested space environment demands secure, reliable, and resilient communications. CACI’s low-risk optical communication, sensing, and processing technology enables the success of some of our nation’s most critical missions from the battlefield to deep space.

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The Practical Lighting Technician (or Practical Sparks) is responsible for finding a safe and appropriate power supply at specific locations. They must assess the required supply for the lighting needed for a production in varied locations. In a building this involves taking a feed from its fuse box. They must set up lights and other electrical equipment for props, for example kettles or table lamps, to be used by actors while filming scenes. They are responsible for changing or modifying lighting equipment and fittings on a period film, so that they are appropriate to the period in which the story is set. They must restore equipment and fittings back to their original status once filming has been completed. This is a role that requires a qualified electrician with experience in working on location and a knowledge of health and safety legislation and testing.

CACI’s optical technologies enable highly secure communications in RF-challenged, restricted, or denied environments. Optical carrier frequencies can transmit more data with lower SWaP than comparable RF systems. Our optical technology has deployed onboard missions such as NASA’s integrated laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T) now operating on the International Space Station.

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Our multi-disciplinary teams, located in California, Florida, and New Jersey, design and build the most mature optical communications technologies right here in the United States. For more than two decades, we have developed advanced capabilities that meet and exceed U.S. government requirements​ – and are ready to deploy in support of deep space exploration and space operations from a variety of orbits, including low earth (LEO),  medium earth (MEO), highly elliptical (HEO), and geostationary (GEO).

CACI’s optical communication, sensing, and processing solutions are the U.S. government’s preferred choice for secure communications across several orbits and missions.

Our technologies increase efficiency through tradeoffs between range and bandwidth and enable low probability of intercept (LPI) and low probability of detection (LPD) with reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) and inherent immunity to radio frequency (RF) interference and jamming.

Regardless of the satellite manufacturer, CACI is often the secret ingredient to the most successful optical communications missions. We bring a rare synergy of research and development coupled with our valuable intellectual property to meet ever-increasing mission demands.​

Whether it’s for land, air, or space, our people continually develop new applications for a range of missions – from tactical operations to national intelligence needs.

CACI’s CrossBeam was the first Space Development Agency (SDA)-compliant terminal to successfully complete optical communication terminal (OCT) interoperability testing - establishing a consistent data communication link with the reference modem.

CACI’s laser sensing technology enables near-term airborne and space light detection and ranging (LiDAR) applications mainly for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, where there is an increased need for wide-area surveillance and long-range object identification.