Firstwave gets $29 million Navy R&D work

Firstwave Secure Intelligent Optical Networks Inc., Reston, Va., won a $29 million contract by the Naval Research Laboratory to develop optical network management software and switches, the company announced Aug. 21.

The research and development contract runs for five years. Firstwave will build out the capabilities of its network management tools and optical switches. These products were deployed on Advanced Technology Demonstration Network, an experimental research network connecting NRL with other government agencies.

U.S. intelligence agencies are also using Firstwave's products, the company said.


"Our products will provide the building blocks for tomorrow's light-speed, high-quality, secure networks," said John Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Firstwave.


Founded in 2000, Firstwave offers products for optical wide area-, metro area-, and local access networks, as well as for long distance networks. It employs approximately 100 people.