Guidance

Problem Statement: Position Navigation and Timing (PNT)

Published 30 September 2024

1. Problem statement

1. How successfully can uncrewed capabilities (UXs) function without the timing and positioning information provided by Global Navigation Satellite System (typically the US GPS) receiver? What is being done to protect access to GPS? What alternatives are available and how effective are they? What will it take to raise the basic level of PNT systems adopted by consumer industry (those companies which procure PNT equipment and services from another company to integrate into their products)  to reduce inherent vulnerabilities within UXs?

2. Unless action is taken to embrace emerging technology and develop a clear route to a sustainable PNT SQEP base, UXs will remain susceptible to their over reliance on civil, un-protected GPS signals.

3. Which areas can the UK become a world leader in PNT system production, skills, research and development for uncrewed systems? How does Defence best work with industry to adopt enhanced PNT resilience (as the norm) and the development of new technologies to improve timing, situational awareness and counter PNT for UXs?

2. PNT Case study - Uncrewed Systems (UxS)

1. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the potential of rapid technological development and enterprise. Along with the rollout and employment of accessible communications (Space X’s STARLINK Low Earth Orbit SATCOM), the proliferation of Uncrewed Air Systems has attracted great attention. However, such systems heavily rely upon unencrypted GPS signals for their control and navigation, making their employment challenging in a contested Electro-Magnetic Environment (EME) which easily denies the use of GPS, etc. The UK published its Defence Drone Strategy in February 2024. In the foreword, MinDP states ‘Our approach to uncrewed systems will drive a more deliberate and coherent partnership with our industrial base, ensuring vital onshore resilience and component stockpiles. In close partnership with industry, we will spirally and collaboratively develop platforms and components to keep up with relentless cycles of battlefield adaptation, whilst driving sovereign industrial strength…’.Page 8 of the Strategy sets out four objectives including: [1] expedite the adoption of Acquisition Reform; [2] build a resilient industrial base; and [4] foster a culture of innovation - exploit technology at the leading edge. Whilst these three objectives are applicable across a multitude of areas, it is the 3rd which is more specific to this case ’Define digital architectures for seamless operational integration’, which is described as follows: “Uncrewed systems are essential for delivering accurate data and targeting information to decision-makers; they must be resilient to interference. They need to navigate and communicate in the most contested spaces, synchronising effects across smart networks.”

2. This is a great example of broader challenge that Defence faces, i.e. how to rapidly develop enabling technologies and their integration with platforms and systems whilst being able to adapt to the needs of the User in an increasing growing and contested environment. As stated in the Drone Strategy (UxS Sub-System Mapping) - many systems share significant similarities across payloads, communication and navigation components, platforms and software. Through maintaining a picture of these we will assist the enterprise in developing concepts and understanding both what is available in the market today contrasted with Defence or wider R&D activities. As well as reducing unintended duplication, this will allow us to quickly iterate concepts relative to existing equipment standards.

3. So, taking a broader perspective, how can the PNT community (both the providers and consumers of PNT services and equipment) work together to expand this ambition across the broadest range of defence and where relevant) x-government applications?

3. Potential contributors to the solution

1. Develop an assured PNT system (comprising Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA), GPS and Alt-PNT), for small (e.g. <1.5m wingspan) UX applications.

2. This could be developed into an integrated product that involves can be a plug-in replacement for existing commercial off the shelf (COTS) PNT systems.

3. Develop lower space, weight & power (SWaP) CRPA Antennae capability (antenna array + electronics) with SWAP better than existing COTS options.

4. Develop a multi-frequency CRPA, with a unit-cost that is low enough to support mass exploitation in cost constrained applications.

5. Develop a software defined radio based CRPA system.

6. Develop a software defined radio (SDR) and graphics processing unit (GPU) based GNSS receiver.

7. Investigate AI for GNSS spoofing detection / mitigation.

8. Investigate AI for data fusion of multiple PNT sources.

9. Investigate and develop low cost and innovative solutions to improve performance of Anti-Jam capabilities / systems.