Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Bombardier Defense Delivers Ninth Global Aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Program

  • Delivery ceremony took place in September at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
  • The Bombardier Global family of aircraft, recognized for its outstanding range, speed, reliability and endurance, is an ideal fixed-wing solution for special airborne missions worldwide 
  • Enduring success of the BACN program underscores Bombardier Defense’s role as a partner of choice for the U. S. military

BACN 9 Delivery Ceremony

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Defense is proud to announce the delivery of a ninth Bombardier Global aircraft to the United States Air Force. The delivery, which was celebrated at Hanscom Air Force Base earlier this month, is the latest in a long-standing and highly successful partnership between the USAF and Bombardier Defense.

The fleet of BACN aircraft, which are known in the Air Force as E-11A and often referred to as “Wi-Fi in the sky”, are a specialized communications platform that enables enhanced situational awareness and interoperability acting as high-altitude communications gateways. The Bombardier Global fleet serving the USAF has been performing critical communications missions around the world for close to two decades, serving to bridge voice and tactical data between air and land forces, while surmounting obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance.

“At Bombardier Defense, we are honored to see our reliable, high-performing Global aircraft serve the United States Air Force in critical missions worldwide through the BACN program,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. “We are grateful for the longstanding trust of the U.S. Air Force, and we look forward to continuing to support the operational needs of the United States.”

About Bombardier Defense
Bombardier Defense offers something unique, combining Bombardier’s portfolio of top-performing Challenger and Global aircraft with unparalleled engineering and maintenance expertise to create custom solutions. Known for its collaborative and flexible approach, Bombardier Defense builds long-term partnerships with governments and militaries, as well as joining forces with the world’s most advanced mission system providers. Driven by a rich history of innovation, we are shaping the defense solutions of the future.

Bombardier Defense is based in Wichita, KS, with a manufacturing presence across North America. Leveraging Bombardier’s highly responsive, worldwide support network, we offer expert maintenance services and tailored support options to our government and military customers. Hundreds of Bombardier aircraft perform critical airborne missions around the world, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C), border and maritime patrol, multi-role, head of state transport, medevac, urgent humanitarian assistance and more.   

For Information
To learn more about Bombardier Defense, visit bombardier.com/defense and follow us on LinkedIn.
For corporate news and information about Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), visit bombardier.com
Watch the video: “Wi-fi in the sky”

Media Contacts
General media contact webform

Louise Solomita 
+1-514-513-6410
louise.solomita@aero.bombardier.com 

Bombardier, Bombardier Defense, Global and Challenger are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed516f80-8d46-451d-b08a-69983867269d


Primary Logo

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.