General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

General Atomics Aeronautical - LAC-12 Pod

LAC-12 Terminal

All-Domain Laser Communications

The Laser Airborne Communication Terminal is the latest high-performance, open-architecture sensor that equips the warfighter with game-changing low probability of intercept and detection laser communications. LAC-12 includes an anti-jamming communications system with 300 times the data carrying capacity of conventional radio frequency satellite communications systems and provides air-to-space, air, ground, and maritime relay connectivity, serving as a gateway to the Joint Aerial Network for forward deployed forces. The open-architecture nature of LAC-12 also reduces cost and complexity for future upgrades of both the laser and modem subsystems and can be directly integrated onto MQ-1 and MQ-9 unmanned aircraft systems, enabling real-time and secure communications for the warfighter of today and tomorrow.

Key Benefits

Open-architecture Laser Airborne Communication terminal that can operate with multiple lasers and modems
Anti-jam technology that enables low probability of detection and interception
Game-changing user data rates greater than 1 Gbps
Tested in airborne, ship-based, and land-based scenarios
Podded variant currently in development – flight testing Q3 2023

Mission Sets

Secure and rapid communications
Communications relay and gateway

Specs

Dimensions: 12” | 30.5 cm Gimbal; 15” | 38.1 cm height
Weight: 43 lb | 19.5 kg
Power: 28 VDC, 200W max

Sledgehammer

Download LAC-12 Terminal Data Sheet

Features

Mojave Proves Its Unmatched Versatility in Unprecedented Live-Fire Demo

The short takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft demonstrator, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., already has set new milestones in getting airborne or returning to the surface.

MQ-9B: Securing Northern Europe

The peaceful nations of Northern Europe didn’t choose to rewrite their defense and security outlook for the coming decades. The decision was forced upon them by aggression in the east. Now that they’ve decided to act, however, they’re moving swiftly.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian®: Redefining Maritime Domain Operations

The MQ-9B SeaGuardian® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is tailor-made to support the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and their allies and partners around the world against peer or near-peer forces.

GA-ASI Redefines Maritime Operations with Mojave

Making aviation history doesn’t happen overnight. Engineers and executives at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., were confident the short takeoff and landing demonstrator Mojave would launch from an aircraft carrier and then land back aboard the first time.

Send UAS, Not Troops, Into the Danger Zone

High-quality intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance is essential for the United States and its allies – but gathering it can be dangerous work. In more than a dozen incidents around the world over the past two years, and many others before that, irresponsible pilots have threatened, harassed, damaged and, in some cases, destroyed American or allied ISR aircraft, often placing the pilots and air crews inside in extreme jeopardy.

GA-ASI’s Avenger Leads the Way in Autonomy and AI

There’s been a lot of talk about building a new generation of autonomous systems to help the U.S. and its allies preserve their advantage in airpower. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is leading the way. To understand how, consider the scale and nature of the challenge: Tomorrow’s Air Force needs large numbers of versatile, highly capable aircraft to scout ahead, share what they sense, take on tasks and act largely on their own.

MQ-9A: Helping the Marine Corps Transform Expeditionary Warfare

As it ushers in the coming era of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, the Marines are turning to sophisticated unmanned aircraft to outmaneuver these threats.

MQ-9B - A Growing Track Record of Performance in the Maritime Domain

Unmanned aircraft have been revolutionizing intelligence, military, and so many other applications for years. Now their impact extends to the way navies operate at sea. Leading the way is the MQ-9B SeaGuardian®, which enables the most advanced navies, coast guard agencies, and other maritime authorities to patrol longer, detect more, and make existing units much more effective.