Army seeks to give access to precise PNT data down to even the most disadvantaged users on the battlefield
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – U.S. Army navigation and guidance experts are asking industry for new ways of proving positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information for warfighters operating at the edge of the battlefield who have scant access to PNT data.
Officials of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., issued a request for information on Thursday (W56KGU23R0103) for the Time Distribution project.
Time Distribution seeks methods and techniques for time transfer that enable accurate timing down to the most disadvantaged users. Experts are interested in wireless enabling technologies that provide nanosecond, picosecond, or sub-picosecond synchronization accuracy and ranging measurement; regional as opposed to global coverage; time referenced to coordinated universal time according to the U.S. Naval Observatory; and size and weight suitable for vehicles, aircraft, or infantry warfighters; that capitalize on existing military systems; and provide a compelling technological capability enhancement.
Traditional Army assets that rely on the Global Position System (GPS) satellite navigation require unique hardware and software to protect PNT capabilities on individual platforms, which reduces the number of protected platforms available.
The primary focus of the Time Distribution project is to evaluate existing or novel technologies in precision time distribution for military applications that support advanced and distributed assured PNT capability, and tie into existing capabilities in the field.
From industry, the Army wants descriptions of proposed technology solutions; accuracy and antenna information; technical constraints and risks; and maturity level of proposed solutions.
Companies interested should upload 15-page papers no later than 14 Aug. 2023 to DOD SAFE online at https://safe.apps.mil, with an email copy to [email protected], with RFI Submission: Time Distribution in the subject line.
Email questions or concerns to the Army at usarmy.apg.devcom- [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/9e5e717cbc054b5687bb0506d18ccc0a/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
