David H. Hughes

United States Air Force Research Laboratory

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

David H. Hughes is a leading researcher in free-space optical communications, with a particular focus on laser communication between mobile platforms. His work addresses one of the most critical challenges in the field: the pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems required to maintain stable laser links despite platform motion and vibration. His highly cited 2009 paper, "Laser Communication Between Mobile Platforms," has garnered 30 citations, serving as a foundational reference for engineers developing robust optical communication links for drones, satellites, and ground vehicles. Hughes’s contributions have advanced the practical deployment of laser-based data transmission, offering solutions to the stringent beam-steering requirements that have historically limited mobile optical communications. His research bridges the gap between theoretical laser communication and real-world mobile applications, making him a key figure in the evolution of high-bandwidth, secure, and jam-resistant communication systems for defense, aerospace, and telecommunications.