Key Takeaways
- Collins Aerospace has unveiled a new small form factor Assured Precision Navigation and Timing (APNT) solution at the All-Domain Persistent Experiment.
- The solution offers advanced capabilities in a portable, modular form and can be used to provide resilient navigation for ground vehicles, including robotic and autonomous platforms.
- The Compact Modular Open Systems Standards (CMOSS) Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) card demonstrated exceptional performance in a denied and degraded GPS environment.
- The APNT system maintained assured navigation despite the presence of a significant number of jammers and spoofers, leveraging Military-code GPS and internal and external organic sensors.
- The solution is ready for integration on a variety of platforms and provides a scalable, cost-effective solution for ground vehicles.
Introduction to Collins Aerospace’s APNT Solution
Collins Aerospace, a leading provider of integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry, has unveiled its latest innovation in anti-jam Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (APNT) technology. The company showcased its smallest APNT ground solution to date during the U.S. Army’s All-Domain Persistent Experiment at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The successful demonstration highlighted the capabilities of Collins’ Compact Modular Open Systems Standards (CMOSS) Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) card, which can be used to provide resilient navigation for ground vehicles, including robotic and autonomous platforms.
The Importance of APNT Technology
The APNT technology is crucial in providing accurate and reliable navigation in contested environments, where GPS signals may be disrupted or degraded. The CMFF card is designed to provide highly precise navigation in such environments, and its smaller form factor allows for faster mission customization and improved situational awareness. The solution is also scalable and cost-effective, making it an attractive option for integration on a variety of platforms. According to Sandy Brown, vice president and general manager of Mission Critical Products at Collins Aerospace, "Our card provides highly precise navigation in contested environments, and a scalable, cost-effective solution that is ready now for integration on a variety of platforms."
The All-Domain Persistent Experiment
The All-Domain Persistent Experiment is the Army’s open-air experimentation environment, designed to test capabilities in Denied/Degraded, Intermittent, Limited conditions. The experiment aims to advance sensor technologies, networks, data processing, PNT, and electronic warfare systems. During the experiment, Collins’ APNT system maintained assured navigation despite the presence of a significant number of jammers and spoofers. The solution leveraged Military-code GPS and internal and external organic sensors to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for ground vehicles, even in the absence of reliable GPS data.
Collins Aerospace and RTX
Collins Aerospace is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry, with 80,000 employees dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies. The company is part of RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, with more than 185,000 global employees. RTX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and had 2024 sales of more than $80 billion. Through its industry-leading businesses, including Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, RTX is advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The unveiling of Collins Aerospace’s new APNT solution marks a significant milestone in the development of resilient navigation technologies. The solution’s exceptional performance in a denied and degraded GPS environment demonstrates its potential to provide accurate and reliable navigation in contested environments. As the company continues to innovate and develop new technologies, it is likely that we will see further advancements in APNT solutions, enabling ground vehicles to operate effectively in a variety of environments. The implications of this technology are far-reaching, with potential applications in a range of fields, including aerospace, defense, and autonomous systems. As the demand for resilient navigation technologies continues to grow, Collins Aerospace is well-positioned to meet this demand and provide innovative solutions that advance the capabilities of ground vehicles.
