The U.S. Navy destroyers have awarded an $11.5 million contract to DRS Laurel Technologies in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The agreement covers the supply of AN/USQ-82(V) Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System (GEDMS) hardware and spare parts for both newly constructed and upgraded Arleigh Burke-class U.S. Navy destroyers. DRS Laurel is part of Leonardo DRS Inc.
This system provides a fast and resilient IP-based backbone that supports vital operations including machinery control, damage control, steering, navigation, the Aegis combat system, and internal military communications. With this step, the Navy is strengthening the reliability of onboard fiber-optic networking while preparing ships for future technology requirements. The move highlights the Navy’s strategy in deploying advanced naval communication systems to enhance fleet readiness.
Replacing Copper with Fiber
The GEDMS replaces miles of copper wiring, converters, and junction boxes with a streamlined fiber-optic networking backbone. This transition reduces infrastructure complexity, eases maintenance workloads for crew members, and enhances safety across the ship.
The new system also enables advanced naval communication systems such as video monitoring and improved data links. By reducing the dependence on heavy copper wiring, U.S. Navy destroyers become lighter, more efficient, and more adaptable to evolving mission needs. The initiative underscores the importance of fiber-optic systems in U.S. Navy modernization.
From DMS to GEDMS: A Digital Evolution
The GEDMS is the latest step in a decades-long evolution. The journey began in 1989 when the first Data Multiplex System (DMS) was installed on the lead ship of the Burke class. This was followed by the Fiber-Optic DMS (FODMS), and now the progression continues with GEDMS. Each phase has brought improvements in data transmission, reliability, and naval technology integration.
The Navy’s ongoing transition highlights its broader vision for modular, software-centric warships. Rather than depending on isolated systems, modern combatants are shifting to integrated platforms that allow faster data sharing, smoother coordination, and simplified maintenance. The GEDMS is a critical part of this transformation and reflects how U.S. Navy upgrades destroyers with fiber-optic networking to keep pace with emerging naval technology.
Timeline and Deployment
Work on the project will take place at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with completion expected by March 2027. The GEDMS is being installed on new Flight III next-generation Navy warships while also being retrofitted on earlier Flight I, II, and IIA U.S. Navy destroyers.
This ensures that the Navy’s fleet remains consistent in capability, regardless of when a vessel was first commissioned. The modernization reflects a continued focus on fiber-optic systems in U.S. Navy operations and showcases a practical application of naval technology.
The Bigger Picture in Naval Networking
This upgrade is part of a larger modernization trend across U.S. surface warships. Systems such as combat consoles, missile defense radars, and integrated displays are also undergoing significant updates. Companies like Leonardo DRS are helping the Navy move toward fully connected, interoperable, and software-updatable platforms.
These advances demonstrate how the future of naval warfare will depend on seamless military communications, fiber-optic networking, and adaptability. It is part of a broader shift where U.S. Navy upgrades destroyers with fiber-optic networking to maintain superiority across next-generation Navy warships.
Why It Matters
The benefits of this fiber-optic networking upgrade extend well beyond technical specifications.
- Simpler wiring: Fiber reduces complexity and boosts reliability.
- Safer operations: Remote monitoring lowers the need for risky, confined-space inspections.
- Scalability: An IP-based backbone allows easy integration of new sensors, video systems, and smart displays.
- Operational edge: In naval combat, faster data flow and advanced naval communication systems can make the decisive difference.
The Navy’s decision to invest in GEDMS reflects more than an upgrade in hardware. It represents a strategic move toward a future-ready fleet, capable of adapting quickly to the demands of modern maritime operations. By emphasizing military communications and integrating fiber-optic networking, U.S. Navy destroyers are positioned as leaders among next-generation Navy warships.
