Photonics Masts are critical subsystems of Submarine imaging, navigation, electronic warfare and communications system

A submarine is a naval platform that can stay underwater for an extended period to carry out missions, both offensive and defensive. It is a complex platform that includes multiple components. As radio waves cannot propagate in water, communication with submarines is difficult. To overcome this issue, submarines are being installed with antennas that can be raised above the water surface level, and employ ordinary radio transmissions for communication.

There are two problems with conventional optical periscopes. First, a periscope well runs the entire height of the ship to house the periscope, and its size restricts the arrangement of the sail and interior compartments. The second problem is that periscopes can accommodate only one person at a time. With advancements in technology, countries are replacing periscopes with photonics mast, which is sensor-based digital viewing equipment.

A photonics mast (or optronics mast) is a sensor on a submarine which functions similarly to a periscope without requiring a periscope tube, thus freeing design space during construction and limiting risks of water leakage in the event of damage. A photonics mast replaces the mechanical, line-of-sight viewing system with digital equipment, similar to a digital camera array, and it has fewer locational and dimensional constraints than a traditional periscope.

Electronic imaging equipment will replace the prisms and lenses of the old optical periscopes. The heart of the system is the sensor unit that will protrude through the water. This multiple electro-optical sensor is located in a rotating head. The masts are equipped with three cameras, including a color camera, a high-resolution black-and-white camera and an infrared camera, to provide imaging for the submarine. There is also a mission critical control camera in a separate, pressure-proof and shock-hardened housing, and an eyesafe laser range finder that provides accurate target ranges and aids in navigation.

The photonics mast provides the imaging, navigation, electronic warfare and communications functions of a conventional optical periscope, according to U.S. Navy documents.   AN/BLQ-10 submarine EW system,  provides automatic detection, classification, localization, and identification of potentially hostile radar and communications signals at sea.