When radio cannot be trusted, systems still need to communicate.

SwarmLink: a compact optical communication system for tactical scenarios.

SwarmLink is J5’s compact optical communication system for direct line-of-sight links between selected mission assets. It is designed to operate alongside existing tactical radios, datalinks and networks, adding a local RF-silent path for video and data exchange.

We focus on scalability. Instead of relying on complex steering hardware or expensive high-end terminals, J5 focuses on practical optical links that can evolve toward low-cost, mass-deployable units for vehicles, UGVs, drones, vessels and field nodes.

Plug. Point. Link.

The transmitter and receiver are placed into their bases, locked magnetically, and the video link becomes operational without a complex setup procedure. This demonstrates the product philosophy: connect the units, point manually, and establish communication quickly.

Stable connectivity while moving

The receiver remains static while the transmitter is carried forward on a tripod. Even with walking motion, small shaking and changing geometry, the received video remains visible.

Configurable range and coverage

The same hardware architecture can be adapted for different distances, movement requirements and operational geometries through interchangeable optics. This supports a scalable product direction where the unit can be configured for the mission instead of redesigned for every scenario.

Real-time visual & data communication

The monitor shows the received video while a person at the transmitter side waves a hand. The movement is seen in real time, without human-perceived delay in the demonstrated setup.

Receiver freedom without precision pointing.

These demonstrations show that reception can be maintained while the receiver changes position and orientation. This behaviour is important for future integration into moving platforms, distributed nodes and practical point-to-multipoint geometries.

Outdoor validation across distance, movement and conditions.

Outdoor tests validated the current prototype at 500 m with real-time video and with receiver movement/orientation changes. A longer 2 km line-of-sight test also maintained real-time video, with small flicker caused by the available link margin of the current prototype.

These distances are validation points, not fixed limits. The tests show practical setup, alignment, video transmission and link continuity across distance and movement.

Dust-facing link stability.

Recent field testing evaluated the optical link with dust crossing the path between transmitter and receiver. The video remained stable and the link stayed established, supporting evaluation in realistic outdoor environments where visibility can change locally.

Smoke-facing link recovery.

Additional field testing evaluated the optical link under smoke obstruction. When smoke crossed the path between transmitter and receiver, the video remained stable during partial obstruction, cut only when the smoke became very dense, and recovered quickly as visibility returned. A second test with smoke directly around the transmitter also showed stable video behaviour.