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  • GPS Innovation Alliance urges Trump administration to address GPS interference

    GPS Innovation Alliance urges Trump administration to address GPS interference

    A coalition of 14 major industry associations has called on the departments of Defense and Transportation to address increasing threats from GPS signal jamming and spoofing that are affecting civilian operations beyond traditional conflict zones.

    The letter, signed by organizations including the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA), Aircraft Electronics Association, Airlines for America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, outlining concerns about GPS signal interference. The letter warns that such interference is expanding beyond military conflict zones to affect civilian transportation and commerce operations in international airspace and waters.

    The coalition represents industries that collectively contribute significant portions to the U.S. economy. The aviation system accounted for 5% of U.S. GDP in 2024, totaling $1.45 trillion, while ports and maritime operations contributed $2.9 trillion, nearly 10% of GDP. GPS technology has generated more than $1.4 trillion for the U.S. economy since its introduction, with more than 6 billion GPS-enabled devices in use worldwide.

    The organizations are seeking coordinated action from the Trump administration to modernize GPS infrastructure and enhance its resilience against interference. The coalition has indicated its willingness to work with federal agencies on addressing what it describes as challenges to national security, public safety and economic prosperity.

    System Vulnerabilities

    Despite GPS maintaining a 99.99% availability rate with no recorded outages since 1993, the system faces several challenges. On-orbit satellites operate years beyond their intended design life, ground system upgrades have been delayed, and the system lacks counter-spoofing capabilities.

    The coalition emphasizes that GPS serves as a foundation for modern defense, aviation, maritime operations and commercial activities. Transportation industry officials note their sector’s role as a key partner in U.S. military logistics operations.

    “GPS is one of the most important innovations of the modern era, underpinning national security, critical infrastructure such as transportation, and commerce,” said Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Innovation Alliance. “The Trump administration’s approach to “getting stuff done” is what this nation needs to finally achieve a modern GPS that is resilient to jamming and spoofing. The President’s leadership can also deter further harmful interference – actions that will benefit most critical industries that are delivering goods and services around the world and transporting passengers safely to their destinations.”

    The GPSIA recommendations call for executive branch agencies to:

    • Accelerate the procurement and launch of modern GPS satellites and include anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology upgrades in GPS ground systems.  Prepare a program plan that ensures GPS is technologically more advanced than China’s BeiDou and Europe’s Galileo GPS-like systems.
    • Strengthen enforcement and coordination across the U.S. government to rapidly identify and respond to interference events and crack down on illegal sales and use of jamming devices.
    • Streamline regulatory and certification processes to accelerate adoption of advanced technologies such as jam- and spoof-resistant antennas, modern GPS signals, and anti-spoofing signal authentication in airframes, receivers and devices.
    • Deter interference through public statements and diplomatic engagement, making clear the United States will not tolerate harmful jamming and spoofing outside conflict zones that risks public safety and impedes commerce.

    Read morof GPSIA’s reccomendations here.

    “These are concrete, achievable actions that, if pursued, will ensure the integrity, continuity, availability, and resiliency of GPS. This approach also offers the commercial position, navigation, and timing industry time to mature and deploy their technologies so that they can meet the high regulatory bar that is appropriately set for public safety applications,” Dyer said.

  • TSR unveils tactical drone system with 3-hour flight time

    TSR unveils tactical drone system with 3-hour flight time

    TSR Inc. (Tactical Surveillance Reconnaissance) has launched the AVRIO series autonomous drone systems — cutting-edge European-made unmanned aircraft designed to redefine aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision-strike capabilities.

    The AVRIO family, which includes the Falcox and Nebris platforms, delivers unmatched performance and resilience for defense, security and critical infrastructure missions, according to TSR. The company designed the AVRIO series for a wide range of defense and homeland-security missions, including:

    • Border security and coastal defense
    • Rapid-response reconnaissance and force protection
    • Counter-UAS operations using RF seeker payloads
    • Critical infrastructure protection and disaster-response intelligence.

    “The AVRIO series combines European aerospace engineering with U.S.-based deployment and support, giving governments and security agencies a next-generation toolset for ISR and tactical defense,” said Rick Clarke, CEO of Safe Room Designs/TSR Inc. “This is autonomous aerial defense, reinvented.”

    Specifications of the AVRIO

    • ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance). Real-time EO/IR video, day/night operations, target tracking and identification.
    • Quick-launch and versatility. Vertical takeoff and landing, <1-minute preparation, runway-independent operation, and mission abort/return-to-base features.
    • Extended reach. Endurance of up to three hours and a range of up to 30 km, depending on payload and mission configuration.
    • Precision engagement. Options for smart munition payloads with precision super-quick impact fuzes and effective 15 m radius, plus anti-personnel and armor-piercing warheads.
    • Resilient design. Low radar cross section, GNSS-denied operation, MIL-STD-810G-qualified ground control, and operational temperature from –20 °C to +50 °C.
    • Naval and special missions. Capable of surface-mine detection, sweeping operations, and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) intelligence gathering.

    TSR is now accepting government and defense-sector inquiries for the AVRIO Falcox and AVRIO Nebris systems. For detailed specifications, demonstrations, or procurement discussions, contact TSR.

  • Ukraine shows off Toloka underwater drone

    Ukraine shows off Toloka underwater drone

    Ukraine unveiled its TLK-1000 underwater drone — capable of striking targets as distant as 2,000 km  (1,240 miles) away — at the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition in Lviv on Sept. 19.

    While the torpedo drone itself moves underwater, it has surface elements including antennas for receiving GPS signals, video and thermal imaging cameras, and communication equipment, reported Militaryn in February, when Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky first introduced the Toloka drone at the Support Ukraine summit. Designed for stealth operations just below the surface, it uses electric propulsion to evade detection and penetrate Russian defenses.  

    Kyiv has repeatedly used maritime drones to inflict heavy losses on Russian assets in the Black Sea, according to Defense Express. The TLK-1000 could threaten the Crimean Bridge, a supply and transport route for Russian forces to occupied territories, as well as Russian submarines.

    There are three models of Toloka. The largest, TLK-1000, is 12 meters long with a warhead payload of up to 5,000 kg and a range up to 2,000 km (1,240 miles). It is built for long-distance missions and heavy loads. It navigates with GNSS supplemented by AI-INS with a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL).

    The TLK 400 also navigates with AI-INS with DVL and GNSS. It is 4 to 6 meters long, its payload can be up to 500 kg, and its range can be up to 1,200 kilometers. The TLK-400 features a hybrid propulsion system and is intended for reconnaissance, mining, signal relay and strike operations.

    The TLK 200 navigates with GNSS + AI-INS. It is 2.5 meters, its range 100 km, and its payload 20 to 50 kg of explosives. Typical tasks include reconnaissance, mining, short-range strike missions and radio-relay support.

  • Simulating signal threats with Safran Electronics & Defense

    Simulating signal threats with Safran Electronics & Defense

    In universities across the world, theory lays the foundation, but in the field, realism builds true expertise.  

    For students studying GNSS engineering, textbooks and simulations alone are no longer enough. Tomorrow’s engineers need to use the same applications and work with the same complex environments that professionals face in the real world. This means using tools that generate actual RF signals, not just software abstractions — tools that recreate urban canyons, interference, jamming, spoofing and satellite dynamics with precision. 

    Safran has established the Minerva Academic Partnership Program, an initiative that brings its Skydel GNSS Simulation Engine to qualified educational institutions worldwide. 

    A Modern, Software-Defined Approach to GNSS Simulation

    At the heart of this initiative is the Skydel simulation engine, a software-defined GNSS simulator. Built to leverage commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, Skydel eliminates the need for proprietary hardware. It delivers the full spectrum of satellite constellations — as well as LEO ones — and frequency bands. By integrating Skydel in their projects, researchers now have the tools to pursue ambitious ideas with confidence, such as:

    ■ Designing and testing custom signals or constellations not yet in existence

    ■ Simulating real-world scenarios that can include both environmental and man-made interference

    ■ Integrating and testing additional sensors and platforms through open-source plug-ins and hardware-in-the-loop setups

    ■ Conducting rigorous resiliency testing against jamming and spoofing in a controlled, repeatable environment without real-world risk

    ■ Building their own simulator with existing hardware components around Skydel

    Empowering the Next Generation of PNT Innovators

    Through the Minerva program, Safran provides full-feature Skydel licenses for faculty and student use, creating an environment where learning and innovation thrive. This initiative not only eliminates the barrier to entry but also fosters collaboration between academia and industry –— fueling a new wave of GNSS advancements.

    A Global Initiative

    Today, Minerva includes more than 80 member institutions and boasts a growing portfolio of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

    “This momentum highlights the real-world impact of the program and its role in driving local research excellence and fostering a vibrant, collaborative international GNSS community,” said Pierre-Marie Leveel, program director of PNT simulation at Safran Electronics & Defense. “Safran Electronics & Defense’s Minerva program is more than just a software — it’s a mission to democratize GNSS simulation and nurture the next generation of PNT researchers. As innovation becomes more critical to national sovereignty, transportation, and space exploration, empowering students and researchers has never been more vital.” 

    Elevating GNSS Simulation

    The evolution of Safran Electronics & Defense’s GNSS simulators — across both software and hardware — has been shaped by the growing demands of users and the broader market.

    “The demand for multi-vehicle and multi-antenna scenarios has never been higher, and the same can be said for interference simulation,” said Pierre-Marie Le Veel, program director of PNT Simulation at Safran Electronics & Defense.

    To address these challenges, Safran’s GSG-7 and GSG-8 Gen2 simulators are engineered to handle a range of applications, from basic to advanced GNSS jamming and spoofing resiliency testing.

    The GSG-7 simulator is designed for location-aware applications and systems that depend on navigation or timing. With high-end performance — featuring a 1,000 Hz simulation iteration rate, high dynamics, real-time synchronization, and all-in-view satellite signal simulation — the GSG-7 is well-suited for development and integration projects that demand high performance and extensive constellation licensing. It supports multi-constellation and multi-frequency GNSS simulations and can be configured to operate with all current and upcoming GNSS signals.

    Meanwhile, the GSG-8 Gen2 is the latest iteration of Safran’s GSG-8 model, offering flexible simulation capabilities for any device that relies on GNSS signals. Built on Safran’s Skydel-based simulation platform, the GSG-8 Gen2 helps users model scenarios.

    Powered by high-end GPUs, the GSG-8 Gen2 offers reliable and precise GNSS signal testing. It can simulate thousands of signals, run multiple instances at once, and introduce jamming and spoofing to evaluate system resilience. The turnkey system features a redesigned chassis for greater connectivity, including six front-facing, high-quality RF outputs, a combined output covering the full GNSS bandwidth, and the same high-end simulation iteration rate as the GSG-7. This allows users to quickly get up and running with complex simulation requirements.

    “The market is also demanding realism,” Le Veel said.

    All Safran simulators are powered by the Skydel Simulation Engine, which is updated quarterly. Each release introduces new features, signals, and enhancements, enabling more authentic simulations and offering the flexibility to create virtually any GNSS testing scenario.

    Staying Ahead of Market Changes and Signal Threats

    The recent increase in signal interference threats has driven the demand for enhanced positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) resilience, leading to the broader use of both conducted and over-the-air (OTA) testing. The anticipated deregulation of controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) technology also is expected to open the door for civilian markets to perform testing.

    “Throughout the past few years, Safran Electronics & Defense has massively revamped our approach to the Wavefront platform and now offers the GSG-Wavefront for those testing CRPA antennas against jamming and spoofing threats,” Veel said.

    The ability to safeguard GNSS networks from jamming and spoofing attacks has never been more vital. Achieving this level of resilience calls for a GNSS simulator that can generate dedicated RF signals for evaluating the effectiveness of CRPA architectures.

    Safran’s GSG-Wavefront, featuring a shared local oscillator (LO) design, stands out as a field-proven, off-the-shelf solution for CRPA receiver testing. It has a customizable platform that offers upgradable options powered by Skydel — the company’s GNSS simulation engine.

    Le Veel added, “We are working hard to keep up with demand in both the defense and civilian markets.”
    In addition, Le Veel noted that Safran’s GSG-Anechoic is attracting attention from users who work with anechoic chambers, thanks to its multiple, independent RF outputs, automatic antenna mapping, and built-in calibration features for delay and power loss.

    Safran Electronics & Defense supports a wide array of users in both the civilian and defense sectors, spanning aerospace, critical infrastructure and transportation. In recent years, however, the company has seen its fastest growth in the New Space market. Safran’s simulators are used in a range of cutting-edge applications, including satellite navigation, low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, and rocket launch and landing systems.

    “We are proud that the flexible tools and features we have included in Skydel are being used in these incredibly robust applications,” La Veel said.

    A challenge for most GNSS simulation suppliers is ensuring compatibility and coherence with a wide range of GNSS receivers. La Veel shared that Safran Electronics & Defense is in a unique position, as it also designs and manufactures its own receivers, such as the newly released Skylight.

    “Additional challenges can arise when developing new signals or constellations, such as the newest LEO ones, said La Veel. “Our close partnerships with both Xona Space Systems and TrustPoint have allowed us to overcome these challenges.”

    A single GSG-8 Gen2 simulator from Safran Electronics & Defense can generate more than 2,000 signals without the need for additional hardware. This capability is essential when modeling legacy signals, multipath effects, jamming and spoofing scenarios, or even LEO-constellations.

    Safran simulators support all legacy signals, including GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, GLONASS, NavIC, QZSS and SBAS, across all bands and security features such as M-code, PRS and Galileo OSNMA. The systems also offer compatibility with emerging LEO constellations, including Xona’s PULSAR X1 and X5, as well as TrustPoint. Custom Signals and Custom Constellation features offer users the flexibility to create entirely new signals and satellite constellations, or to modify existing configurations.

    “It is de rigueur these days for companies to claim or incorporate AI into their solutions. In addition to using AI for tropospheric modeling based on real-world data, Safran Electronics & Defense has also taken a different approach to using AI in GNSS simulation,” Le Veel said.

    He added that the company’s upcoming demonstration at ION GNSS+ 2025 will reveal Skydel AI, a new tool designed to make scenario creation and parameter setting as simple as writing an email. “The amount of people who can easily now test their prototypes, products or systems will dramatically increase as the steep curve to learn GNSS simulation is flattened.”

  • Safran unveils upgraded VersaSync GNSS master clock

    Safran unveils upgraded VersaSync GNSS master clock

    Safran Electronics & Defense has released an enhanced version of VersaSync, its ruggedized GNSS master clock and network time server designed for defense applications.

    The updated VersaSync platform includes several technical improvements over previous versions. The system now offers improved frequency stability in harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, shock and vibration. Engineers have enhanced holdover performance for GNSS-denied missions and increased resistance to power supply transients to maintain timing continuity during platform power disruptions.

    The new version maintains form-fit-function compatibility with earlier VersaSync models, allowing for straightforward upgrades without major redesigns.

    The system has been deployed in more than 16,000 operational cases across various platforms, including high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, armored vehicles, naval combat systems and offshore platforms. VersaSync incorporates anti-jamming and anti-spoofing algorithms and features a conduction-cooled design for size, weight and power (SWAP)-constrained environments.

    The device provides secure Network Time Protocol and Precision Time Protocol synchronization over Ethernet and offers configurable input/output options. Applications include mobile command, control, communications and intelligence platforms, airborne ISR, Satellite On The Move systems and naval communications.

    Safran Electronics & Defense will display the enhanced VersaSync at DSEI 2025.

  • Maxar helps accelerate the resilience of Taiwan’s UAV industry against GPS interference

    Maxar helps accelerate the resilience of Taiwan’s UAV industry against GPS interference

    Maxar Intelligence is partnering with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) to deploy the Maxar Raptor software suite across Taiwan’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. The move will help the country accelerate the resilience and reliability of autonomous systems in GPS- and GNSS-denied environments.

    Raptor is a vision-based software suite that enables autonomous drones to navigate precisely and extract accurate ground coordinates in the absence of GPS. Designed for lightweight integration with any autonomous platform, Raptor products use a drone’s native camera and Maxar’s 100 million-plus sq km of global 3D terrain data to help the platform navigate with extreme precision and extract accurate ground coordinates in real-time without GPS. Raptor can operate at night and in low-altitude flight operations without the need for any additional hardware.

    The partnership follows a successful field demonstration of Raptor software in Taiwan earlier this year, in which the test platform was able to maintain precise navigation under GPS-denied conditions using only its native camera and Maxar’s software.

    The test platform was able to maintain precise navigation under GPS-denied conditions using only its native camera and Maxar’s software.

    “Taiwan is rapidly building one of the most advanced UAV industries in the world, and AIDC is one of the companies leading the charge,” said Anders Linder, general manager, International Government at Maxar Intelligence. “Taiwanese UAV manufacturers are acutely aware of the importance of building resilience against GPS jamming, and AIDC has validated the unique capabilities of our Raptor software. By combining our geospatial intelligence with AIDC’s aerospace expertise, we’ll help Taiwan’s UAV industry maintain its forward momentum, accelerating autonomy across warfighting, humanitarian, and commercial operations.”

    AIDC will drive the adoption of Raptor across Taiwan’s UAV supply chain and promote use of the software across the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunity Alliance (TEDIBOA), an organization that AIDC chairs.

    “This collaboration opens a new chapter for precision vision-based positioning in Taiwan’s UAV sector,” said AIDC President Chin-Ping Tsao. “We will jointly build a Taiwan-focused integration and testing center, highlight GPS-jamming resilience as a core differentiator, and unlock opportunities across Taiwan and the broader Asia market — advancing both defense resilience and commercial value.”

  • PlanetiQ wins largest-ever NOAA contract to provide GNSS-RO weather data

    PlanetiQ wins largest-ever NOAA contract to provide GNSS-RO weather data

    PlanetiQ, a provider of commercial weather and space weather data, has been awarded a $24.3 million contract from NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). The award, issued under the Commercial Data Program’s Radio Occultation Data Buy 2 (RODB-2), is NOAA’s single largest commercial satellite weather data purchase.

    Under the agreement, PlanetiQ will deliver 7,000 GNSS-RO profiles per day, including 500 enhanced high-signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) profiles as well as 2,500 low-latency Total Electron Content (TEC) tracks daily. Data deliveries began Sept. 18.

    “I founded PlanetiQ because radio occultation is one of the few technologies I’ve worked with that tangibly improves the human condition. It’s gratifying to see this capability recognized and scaled.”

    GNSS-RO data from PlanetiQ provides precise vertical profiles of the atmosphere across the globe, over land and sea, and in cloudy and clear conditions. It is recognized as the most impactful satellite data input for weather forecast models. GNSS-RO has become critical to space-based climate monitoring, improving and stabilizing weather prediction and atmospheric research over the past several decades.

    The 500 enhanced high-SNR profiles per day are especially valuable in the lower troposphere, where measurement and forecast accuracy are often most challenging, further enabling actionable decisions and operations planning with reduced risk.

    TEC data additionally strengthens NOAA’s space weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

    “This award demonstrates NOAA’s confidence in our ability to deliver both the quantity and quality of data needed to advance weather and space weather forecasting,” said Ira Scharf, chief executive officer of PlanetiQ. “We are proud to expand our support for NOAA and its mission to protect life and property.”

    The new contract represents a threefold increase in PlanetiQ’s data deliveries compared to its most recent NOAA award, which provided 2,200 profiles per day, and is adding the enhanced SNR and TEC tracks as new products. PlanetiQ collects thousands of profiles daily across the planet and plans to expand its constellation of satellites in the future.

    PlanetiQ is excited that organizations running numerical weather prediction, and especially AI forecast models, are recognizing the value in high-quality GNSS-RO data. “Our ability to provide enhanced high-SNR profiles, at seven times the SNR of any other commercial company, sets us apart,” said Chris McCormick, president and chairman of PlanetiQ. “I founded PlanetiQ because radio occultation is one of the few technologies I’ve worked with that tangibly improves the human condition. It’s gratifying to see this capability recognized and scaled.”

    While NOAA is the procuring agency of the GNSS-RO data, it will also be used by NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and international government weather agencies for operational and research purposes.

    This award underscores the critical role of public-private partnerships to bring new capabilities online faster and at a lower cost to strengthen national forecasting and research. PlanetiQ also partners with leading commercial technology companies and data providers.

  • Safran, QinetiQ to deliver advanced anti-jamming PNT capabilities for UK armed forces

    Safran, QinetiQ to deliver advanced anti-jamming PNT capabilities for UK armed forces

    Safran Electronics & Defense and QinetiQ have entered a strategic partnership to deliver sovereign and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. The collaboration addresses today’s urgent need for trusted PNT capabilities in increasingly challenging and GNSS-denied operational environments.

    By integrating QinetiQ’s Q40 GNSS receiver with Safran’s SecureSync time server, the partnership offers advanced protection against jamming, spoofing and other adversarial electronic warfare threats. The joint solution supports multi-signal reception and delivers reliable, coherent synchronization for mission-critical military operations — from strategic headquarters to frontline forces.

    Photo:
    The SecureSync time server. (Photo: Safran)

    This next-generation, sovereign capability strengthens the UK’s operational advantage, ensuring continuous access to secure timing and navigation, even under electronic attack. The solution is designed to adapt and expand, accommodating future threats and supporting the full spectrum of defence operations.

    “The Q40 provides navigational assurance in environments where jamming, spoofing and electronic attacks are ever-present,” said James Willis, chief executive UK Intelligence, QinetiQ. “By pairing it with Safran’s SecureSync, we are giving UK forces a trusted, sovereign solution that ensures precise timing and navigation data remains available when it matters most.”

    The Q40 GNSS receiver. (Photo: Qinetiq)
    The Q40 GNSS receiver. (Photo: Qinetiq)

    “In the current context of evolving threats and contested environments, guaranteeing sovereignty in navigation and timing is more critical than ever for national defence,” added Maxime Gorlier, director of PNT Business Unit for Safran Electronics & Defense. “This partnership enables UK armed forces to maintain full independence and sovereignty, even when facing sophisticated electronic warfare tactics. Together, we are committed to providing future-proof PNT solutions that strengthen the UK’s resilience and strategic autonomy.”

    The partnership leverages both companies’ sustained investment in customer-focused research, development and innovation, and demonstrates their shared commitment to providing robust, secure and resilient PNT solutions.

  • Spain’s PLD Space to develop GNSS-IMU for reusable space vehicles

    Spain’s PLD Space to develop GNSS-IMU for reusable space vehicles

    PLD Space, based in Elche, Spain, has been selected by the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) for its first Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) contract. Under this contract, the company will develop HALCON (Hybridization Algorithms and Low-cost Components for Optimized Navigation), a new hybrid navigation software for reusable launch vehicles. 

    ESTEC is part of the European Space Agency (ESA). The project has been approved under NAVISP Element 2, a key ESA initiative to enhance European competitiveness in positioning, navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies.

    The contract, with a total budget of €995,705, will be co-funded equally by ESA and PLD Space, which will retain ownership of the final development. 

    GNSS-IMU System for Reusability

    The HALCON project aims to develop advanced software that combines inertial measurement unit (IMU) data with GNSS signals to achieve precise navigation during rocket launch and landing, a critical capability for reusable launchers such as MIURA 5 and MIURA Next. 

    Traditionally, IMU-only systems have been costly, less accessible, and less accurate over long operational periods. By integrating GNSS signals (such as Galileo or GPS), PLD Space will develop its own, more affordable and more precise navigation system, optimized for controlled landings — an essential step towards advancing the reusability of space vehicles. 

    Image: PLD Space
    Image: PLD Space

    “This project represents a strategic step forward in the development of our own navigation capabilities,” said Raúl Verdú, co-founder and chief business development officer of PLD Space. “With ESA’s support, we will enhance landing maneuver precision, gain vertical integration, and move towards the future integration of autonomous flight termination technologies in Europe.”

    The proposal was selected under ESA’s NAVISP Spanish Call, launched in November 2024, arranged both by the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and ESA. The call invited Spanish industry to propose innovative projects in the PNT field. PLD Space’s contract follows a rigorous technical and commercial assessment and has been favorably evaluated for its alignment with market demand, the competitiveness of the solution, and the strength of its commercialization strategy. 

    Technology for Europe’s Future in Space 

    The HALCON system will deliver centimeter-level positioning accuracy, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency. It is based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, significantly reducing development costs compared to traditional high-end solutions. 

    This technology will not only improve the reliability and sustainability of space transportation but will also pave the way for future capabilities such as a European Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS), which is not yet authorized on the continent. This capability is critical for increasing flight autonomy and mission safety in complex scenarios, while positioning Spain as a leader in next-generation launchers. 

    The development will be carried out entirely in-house by PLD Space’s engineering team, with ESA’s technical support, and will be integrated into the company’s technology roadmap, aligned with its reusability and operational autonomy plans through 2030. 

  • New Telit Cinterion GNSS module delivers location with untethered dead reckoning  

    New Telit Cinterion GNSS module delivers location with untethered dead reckoning  

    Telit Cinterion, an end-to-end IoT solutions enabler based in Irvine, California, has launched the SE869eK5-DR, a dual-band, multi-constellation positioning receiver with untethered dead reckoning (UDR) built on the Airoha AG3335 chipset family.

    The UDR ensures reliable, continuous positioning even when satellite signals are lost due to jamming, interference or physical obstructions, delivering continuous and reliable location data for mission-critical applications without depending on a car connection.

    With its power-efficient design, the module is ideal for mission-critical applications in business and government that demand ultra-reliable location information, and long battery life. Applications include fleet management, automotive telematics systems, and high-value asset tracking, where uninterrupted and precise location data is critical for operational efficiency.

    Building on the successful Telit Cinterion SL869 series, the SE869eK5-DR adds an integrated six-axis sensor for UDR. This allows the module to maintain a position fix even when signals are blocked or jammed, able to track high-value assets deep inside buildings or in underground parking garages.

    The SE869eK5-DR also supports L1 and L5 bands, which maximizes resiliency through frequency redundancy. If one band’s signals are degraded by physical obstructions, the other band provides an alternative set of signals. The module also supports differential GNSS (DGNSS) positioning for applications that require sub-meter-level accuracy. 

    The SE869eK5-DR includes features that streamline product development. Its UDR technology is simple to integrate because it doesn’t require any external application information, which shortens the design phase. It also automatically identifies the direction of movement (forward or reverse), eliminating the need for a separate heading pin. While the SE869eK5-DR introduces an additional 34 pins for future use, it remains backward compatible with previous 24-pin generations, allowing device OEMs to upgrade existing designs.

    SE869eK5-DR engineering validation testing (EVT) samples are available now, with design validation testing (DVT) samples scheduled for November.

    Visit the Telit Cinterion booth (E314) at SIDO Sept. 17-18, 2025 in Lyon, France, to learn more. 

  • Construction company Render Networks integrates Trimble GNSS for real-time location data

    Construction company Render Networks integrates Trimble GNSS for real-time location data

    Render Networks, a specialist in digital network construction management, is integrating with Trimble Mobile Manager, bringing Trimble’s high-precision GNSS capabilities to broadband and utility network deployments.

    The integration enables centimeter-level accuracy at the point of construction, minimizing delays and ensuring that as-built records are complete and verifiable from day one.

    The integration enables Render users to consume high-precision positions from Trimble receivers, including the Trimble DA2 with Trimble Catalyst and the Trimble R2, directly within Render Networks’ mobile app. This means Render Networks’ customers can deliver fast, accurate and verifiable as-builts as part of their normal workflows, eliminating the need for site revisits, reducing rework, and streamlining project acceptance.

    “Our customers are building critical infrastructure at massive scale, and high-accuracy data is non-negotiable,” said Rob Laudati, chief product and partner officer, at Render Networks. “With this new integration, we’re giving crews the ability to capture as-builts with location accuracy in real time, accelerating closeout and ensuring data quality that supports compliance, operations, and asset management for decades to come.”

    Render Networks will showcase the new Trimble integration at the SCTE TechExpo, Booth #882, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 in Washington, D.C.

  • Leankon launches multi-band GNSS antenna

    Leankon launches multi-band GNSS antenna

    Leankon, a global leader in innovative IoT antenna solutions, has introduced the LK1850301 Dipole FPC (Flexible PCB) GNSS antenna, engineered for seamless integration and high-performance positioning across various applications.

    Leveraging innovative technology, the LK1850301 achieves an ultra-compact size of just 49 × 10 × 0.1 mm while supporting global multi-band GNSS. It is fit for GNSS modules and offers flexible cable length configurations to meet diverse design requirements.

    Key Features and Benefits

    • Balanced dipole design: Optimized for superior return loss and stable radiation patterns, the antenna delivers consistent performance while minimizing interference from cable length or connector variations.
    • Multi-band GNSS support: Supporting GPS L1/L2/L5, Galileo E1/E5, GLONASS L1/L5, and BeiDou B1/B2, this compact antenna is ideal for precision applications such as smart agriculture, industrial tracking, navigation, and asset monitoring.
    • Customizable integration: Leankon offers multiple cable lengths and connector options, with custom configurations available for seamless system integration and optimized performance.
    • Designed for compatibility across a wide range of devices, the antenna includes a peel-and-stick adhesive backing for quick, hassle-free assembly.

    As industries increasingly adopt global multi-band GNSS navigation, the need for reliable, adaptable antenna solutions is greater than ever. The LK1850301 empowers engineers and product designers with high-performance satellite signal reception in a compact, integration-friendly form factor.

    To accelerate project development, Leankon provides free samples of the LK1850301 for early-stage testing and performance validation.