The goal of the Network Enabled by WDM-Highly Integrated Photonics (NEW-HIP) program is to facilitate building or upgrading military aircraft and other aerospace platforms with a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) single-mode fiber-optic networking infrastructure that will offer many capabilities well beyond those of currently used copper- and multi-mode-fiber-based technologies.
The goal of the Network Enabled by WDM-Highly Integrated Photonics (NEW-HIP) program is to facilitate building or upgrading military aircraft and other aerospace platforms with a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) single-mode fiber-optic networking infrastructure that will offer many capabilities well beyond those of currently used copper- and multi-mode-fiber-based technologies. NEW-HIP technologies and associated architecture would provide: scalability in the bandwidth and the number of connected devices; immunity to electromagnetic interference and cable cross-talk; reduced cable and overall system weight and volume; increased reliability without an associated weight or volume penalty; ease of integration and future upgradeability; and the ability to carry mixed analog and digital signal formats. NEW-HIP originally focused on specific technologies for application on the Navy's EA-6B Prowler aircraft, but has been broadened to include technologies that will provide advanced capabilities to a multitude of military aircraft, such as the Joint Strike Fighter.