Despite their potential for use in communications, radio frequencies in the terahertz and sub-terahertz ranges - that is, those above 100 GHz - are considered underutilized. The United States Air Force is about to share its plans for a radio they are hoping could change all that.

A project in the works in the US Air Force Research Laboratory is exploring the potential that radio frequencies above 100 GHZ have for secure wideband communications. The military is looking to develop an ultra-broadband radio that can adjust output power, data rate and even carrier frequency and are hoping to find defense contractors in the industry who can assist with the project.

Although frequencies in those ranges, which can be used for 6G communications, have a high level of atmospheric absorption that can restrict how far the transmissions travel, the military is hoping to capitalize on the frequencies' ability to accommodate secure channels. The Air Force is hosting an informational day for the industry next month and will be looking for defense contractors who are US citizens to get on board the project.

Early experiments have already proven successful, according to a report on the Inside Towers website. Last December, communication was achieved at frequencies higher than 300 GHZ during flight experiments by the Air Force, which has been exploring these options for almost a decade.