TrustPoint, a leader in advanced Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies, has secured a $1.2 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the United States Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This significant award will fund the development and demonstration of first-of-its-kind C-band GNSS service-enabled receivers for military applications.
The contract represents a major milestone in next-generation navigation technology, as it marks the first delivery of TrustPoint's C-band GNSS receivers to the U.S. government. TrustPoint will execute this groundbreaking project in partnership with Hexagon | NovAtel and Hexagon US Federal, both divisions of Hexagon, a global leader in GNSS technologies and services.
Strategic Partnership Enhances Military PNT Capabilities
The collaboration brings together TrustPoint's innovative C-band services with NovAtel's cutting-edge GNSS receiver technology, creating a powerful synergy that addresses critical military navigation challenges. This partnership leverages decades of combined experience in developing military-grade GNSS equipment and services.
Sandy Kennedy, Vice President of Innovation at Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning division, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration: "We are thrilled to collaborate with TrustPoint on this transformative project. By integrating TrustPoint's C-band GNSS services into our advanced anti-jam receivers, we can deliver unprecedented PNT resilience."
Addressing Critical Military Navigation Challenges
The development of C-band GNSS technology comes at a crucial time when traditional GPS systems face increasing vulnerabilities in contested environments. Chris DeMay, TrustPoint's Founder and COO, emphasized the strategic importance of this technology:
"This Phase II award highlights the importance of frequency-diverse, resilient PNT solutions for today's military operations. Our C-band APNT service offers GPS-independent capabilities that ensure mission continuity in contested environments. We're honored to partner with the U.S. Navy to deliver innovative solutions that enhance the resiliency of DON platforms."
The Future of Military Navigation
The NAVAIR contract underscores the growing recognition of frequency and orbital diversity as essential components in the future of navigation and timing systems. Traditional GPS systems operate in L-band frequencies, which are increasingly vulnerable to jamming and spoofing in modern warfare scenarios. The C-band alternative developed by TrustPoint offers enhanced resilience against these threats.
TrustPoint is developing a revolutionary commercial GPS service that leverages a next-generation C-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. This system has been designed from the ground up to achieve the high performance, security, and availability required for autonomous navigation, critical infrastructure, and national security applications.
Implications for Defense Technology Advancement
With Hexagon as a key partner, TrustPoint is well-positioned to address the Department of Defense's evolving challenges in ensuring PNT reliability under increasingly complex operational conditions. The technology being developed under this contract could significantly enhance the capabilities of various naval aviation platforms, providing more robust navigation solutions in contested electromagnetic environments.
NAVAIR, which provides full life-cycle support for naval aviation aircraft, weapons, and systems operated by sailors and marines, will oversee the implementation and testing of this innovative technology. The successful deployment of C-band GNSS receivers could represent a paradigm shift in military navigation capabilities, offering a complementary system to traditional GPS that enhances overall resilience and operational effectiveness.
As geopolitical tensions continue to highlight the vulnerability of space-based assets, this development represents a significant step forward in creating more robust and resilient navigation systems for military applications. The technology could eventually have broader applications for critical infrastructure protection and other sectors where reliable positioning and timing are essential.
