Optical communication technology, as a high-speed and high-bandwidth communication method, plays an important role in the modern communication field. In this paper, based on the relevant literature from the Web of Science database. Through the bibliometric analysis, it can be seen that the current research hotspots of optical communication technology, these hotspots included topics such as fiber optic communication technology, optical devices and optical modules, integrated photonics, and photonic integrated circuits. Moreover, the number of publications in the field of communication chips has grown dramatically between 2003 and 2022, with China and the United States being the most important publishing countries in this field. The research on optical communication technology in defense will bring remarkable changes and improvements. Over the last decade, the US military and industry have developed and demonstrated impressive optical communication capabilities. Thus, this paper focuses on the US photonic communications technology program in the defense sector, particularly its implementation in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It also explores the potential application of photonic communication technologies in various military systems, including military communication networks, radar systems, satellite communication systems, and unmanned systems. In which, these advancements in research and applications promise to enhance communication efficiency and safety in the field of national defense.