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USAF and US Navy Look for Ways to Reduce the Use of Satellite Navigation
By: Rafael Ramos
On: 7/7/2021
AgilePod com os sistemas pode ser instalado em diversos tipos de aeronaves
Reprodução/U.S. Air Force photo/David Dixon
A publication by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) shows that work is underway to make a new concept of precision navigation and timing (PNT) operations for the United States Air Force.
The work is done in conjunction with the US Navy Surface Warfare Center. The goal is to reduce dependence on the GPS signal.
The technologies are already being tested. They have been combined into a technology demonstrator, the Agilepod. They had successful Phase 1 tests aboard a Northrop T-38. Phase 2 testing is scheduled to begin in August.
The new operating concepts were developed for the Air Force of the Future program, such as Vision Navigation (VisNav), Signals of Opportunity (SoOP) and Magnetic Anomaly Navigation (MAGNAV), in order to rethink the existing PNT approach.
Major Andy Cottle, member of the Office of Operational Experimentation for Complementary Alternatives to PNT, said that a cast VisNav/SoOP system can successfully work within the reconfigurable AgilePod in various aircraft types and environmental conditions.
However, this type of research is not new. "The PNT is not a new challenge for the Air Force, but we know that the Air Force's undisputed dominance is not guaranteed and we cannot be complacent."
And he added that a single navigation system would not be enough as opponents try to disrupt traditional GPS sources. To achieve the desired effects, several technologies must be used together.
One of the problems with the common navigation systems used today (GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / BeiDou) is that they are very susceptible to hacking techniques and electronic warfare.
Russians, Chinese and Iranians have already demonstrated that they have the technology to attack these positioning systems.
Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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