Five advantages of managed optical communications array (MOCA) technology over other Lasercomm approaches

The fundamental innovative design of managed optical communications array (MOCA) features some distinct advantages over other lasercomm approaches: (1) MOCA relies on proven, Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, as opposed to more exotic optical phase array or beam-forming approaches. MOCA has already been demonstrated (2) the MOCA technology array supports a low-profile conformal terminals for low-drag; (3) MOCA eliminates failure-prone gimbals (4) the modular approach allows development dollars to be focused at the shared subaperture level, from which unique platform terminals can be developed at lower cost; and (5) use of commoditized components and elimination of gimbals reduces size, weight, and cost.