ACQUISITION REFORM BAKED-IN
PM PNT is engaged in competitive prototyping with industry that will help us execute a better acquisition, ensuring that modernization continues for the life of the program.
Congress, “Having accurate PNT information is fundamental to our forces’ ability to maintain initiative, coordinate movements, target fires and communicate on the move.” Other senior lead- ers agree. (See sidebar.) To equip Soldiers to safely navigate and communicate in any environment, meet current threats and pace the emergence of threats, we must integrate new capabilities in the field and invest in the future to ensure that we continue to overmatch our adversaries.
Te increased efficiencies objective addresses systemic issues in the adoption of GPS technologies that have resulted in redun- dant procurement and integration costs. Tese redundant costs are associated with the use of multiple GPS receivers on the same platform, with resultant power and weight burdens on mounted platforms and on the Soldier.
Te third objective addresses DOD’s plan to modernize the GPS capability to M-Code. Tis requires replacing most of the hundreds of thousands of GPS receivers already integrated into our weapon systems with receivers that are M-Code compatible. We are working to achieve this mandate at the lowest possible cost through platform distribution of PNT, open systems archi- tectures, and thorough systems engineering to ensure that we procure M-Code receivers that meet Army requirements. Afford- ability is about being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, and we take this very seriously.
SYSTEM-OF-SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE To achieve these objectives, A-PNT combines materiel solutions, such as GPS, sensors and other technologies, into an architec- ture that brings increased reliability and security. Tis approach makes A-PNT a holistic system-of-systems (SoS) capability for which one aspect alone is not sufficient. For example, if a dis- mounted Soldier has a requirement for his PNT device to have a certain level of accuracy, pseudolites (or pseudo-satellites, acting
54 Army AL&T Magazine October-December 2016
in place of GPS) can be used to send radio frequency signals to the dismounted device. Te sum of these parts working together is how the requirement is fulfilled. Te capabilities complement one another in order to provide our forces with unhindered access to trusted PNT information in all conditions.
Te SoS architecture approach also will reduce size, weight and power (SWAP) for the warfighter and platform by decreasing the number of individual GPS devices a Soldier or vehicle needs to carry. For example, one of the solutions within the A-PNT capability is the D3 (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) Distributed Device). Te D3 provides a single platform for simultaneous distribution of PNT data to multiple systems that require secure GPS information. It is the first product that com- plies with the PNT SoS architecture, and it is currently being installed on the M1200 Armored Knight vehicle.
For mounted platforms, D3 is a key component of the A-PNT capability—eliminating redundant systems and simplifying future migrations, which over time will reduce costs. With D3, the Army has one PNT device servicing up to eight clients. Tis allows us to remove antennas, power cables, data cables and GPS receivers that are no longer needed from the vehicle. Te D3 is also upgradable to M-Code.
SENIOR DOD LEADERS SPEAK OUT ON PNT
“While DOD will of course continue to support the GPS satellites, which we engineer and launch … we also need to find alternatives for military use that are more resilient and less vulnerable.” —Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
“Enhancement of positioning, navigation and timing is critical to the Army.” —Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning
“We’re investing in the development of assured PNT enablers. This provides access to trusted PNT infor- mation, while responding to numerous threats.” —Ms. Steffanie B. Easter,
Principal deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology
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