Securing the Future of Aviation: Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) in the Era of GNSS Threats

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become an indispensable part of modern aviation, providing the foundation for everything from precise navigation in commercial airliners to military mission planning and real-time tracking of aircraft. However, the increasing threat of GNSS signal jamming and spoofing has raised significant concerns, not only for military operations but also for commercial aviation. These vulnerabilities put the safety and security of air travel at risk, urging the development of Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) systems to safeguard the skies.

The Growing Threat of GNSS Jamming and Spoofing in Aviation

GNSS jamming and spoofing are malicious techniques aimed at disrupting or manipulating GNSS signals, rendering them unreliable or unusable. Jamming involves emitting interference signals that overpower legitimate GNSS signals, while spoofing tricks receivers into calculating false positions by sending counterfeit signals. Although these threats have primarily been associated with military operations, they have now extended into commercial aviation, raising alarms about the potential for catastrophic accidents.

In aviation, a compromised GNSS signal can lead to navigation errors, which could cause delays, misdirection, or, in extreme cases, accidents. With commercial airlines, air traffic control systems, and military aircraft all heavily reliant on GNSS for accurate positioning, timing, and navigation, the stakes are high. A compromised GNSS signal, whether by jamming or spoofing, could cause significant disruptions in air traffic control systems, flight routing, and onboard navigation. In addition, military aviation operations, such as targeting, reconnaissance, and tactical flight paths, are equally vulnerable to these threats.

The rise in GNSS interference has made clear the need for APNT solutions that provide a resilient and reliable alternative when GNSS signals are under threat. These systems are designed to ensure continued accuracy in positioning, navigation, and timing even when GNSS signals are jammed or spoofed.

Enter Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) Systems

Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) refers to advanced systems that ensure continuous, accurate navigation and timing data, even in the face of GNSS signal disruption. APNT integrates multiple technologies to guarantee robust and secure navigation, thus mitigating the risks posed by GNSS vulnerabilities. The goal is to provide redundancy and resilience, using alternative methods to maintain position and timing information.

One of the critical strategies in APNT systems is the integration of multi-constellation, multi-frequency (MCMF) GNSS platforms. By relying on signals from several GNSS constellations, such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou, operating across different frequency bands, these systems increase reliability and reduce the risk of complete signal failure. If one constellation or frequency is compromised, other signals can continue to provide accurate data, ensuring uninterrupted navigation.

Superior Detection and Mitigation of Spoofing and Jamming in Aviation

A key feature of modern APNT systems is their ability to detect GNSS spoofing and jamming in real time. By employing sophisticated signal processing algorithms, these systems can identify irregularities in the signal—such as sudden changes in position or the appearance of counterfeit signals—and alert operators to potential threats. This proactive detection capability allows aviation professionals to take corrective action before a threat can impact the safety of the flight.

In response to jamming or spoofing attacks, APNT systems can switch to backup positioning sources, such as inertial navigation systems (INS), radar, or terrestrial signals. These alternative technologies work seamlessly alongside GNSS to ensure that accurate location data is always available, even in the most hostile environments. In some cases, hybrid systems are used, enabling aircraft to smoothly transition between GNSS and backup systems without losing navigation accuracy.

Compact and Lightweight: The Future of Secure Aviation Navigation

As aviation technologies evolve, the demand for APNT systems that are both effective and lightweight has grown, especially as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commercial aircraft, and military platforms become smaller and more mobile. For secure navigation to be practical across all aviation sectors, APNT solutions must be compact without compromising on performance.

Recent advances in miniaturization and signal processing have led to the development of APNT systems that are not only secure but also highly compact and lightweight. These systems can be easily integrated into a wide variety of aviation platforms—from large commercial airliners to small UAVs—without adding excessive weight or bulk. The ability to keep navigation systems small and efficient is essential for meeting the needs of both commercial and military aviation.

Available Systems for Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) in Aviation

As GNSS threats such as jamming and spoofing continue to grow, a range of advanced systems are emerging to provide robust, secure, and resilient solutions for aviation navigation. These systems are designed to ensure the safety and reliability of commercial, military, and unmanned aerial operations, even when GNSS signals are compromised. One of the most innovative advancements in this field comes from CMC Electronics and Hexagon | NovAtel, who have joined forces to create a groundbreaking multi-constellation, multi-frequency (MCMF) GNSS platform.

CMC Electronics and Hexagon | NovAtel: Leading the Way in MCMF GNSS Technology

CMC Electronics and the Autonomy & Positioning division of Hexagon, which includes the Hexagon | NovAtel brand, have unveiled an advanced MCMF GNSS platform specifically designed for the aviation industry. This collaboration combines CMC’s expertise in certification with Hexagon | NovAtel’s advanced digital signal processing technology, setting a new standard for aviation navigation and safety.

The MCMF GNSS platform integrates signals from multiple GNSS constellations such as GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou, operating across various frequency bands. This multi-constellation approach provides redundancy and greater resilience against jamming and spoofing threats, ensuring uninterrupted, precise navigation and timing in both commercial aviation and military applications.

This system also emphasizes a compact and lightweight design, making it ideal for integration into diverse platforms, including aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and even smaller drones. By leveraging CMC’s DO-254 Level A certified receiver and Hexagon | NovAtel’s advanced GNSS measurement technology, the system offers exceptional performance while maintaining a minimal footprint—critical for applications requiring both high precision and small form factors.

One of the key features of this MCMF GNSS platform is its superior ability to detect GNSS signal spoofing and jamming. By utilizing advanced signal processing algorithms, the platform can identify anomalies in GNSS signals, such as the presence of counterfeit signals or interference, and take corrective actions to ensure the integrity of the navigation system. This capability is crucial in both commercial and military aviation, where the consequences of compromised navigation can be disastrous.

Nick Chalkiadakis, Business Unit Director of Navigation Systems at CMC, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Our joint efforts are not just about advancing but leading the way in the future of aviation GNSS technology.” He highlighted the companies’ shared commitment to introducing next-generation solutions that provide high-precision, high-performance GNSS systems, ensuring maximum reliability in aviation operations.

Stig Pedersen, Executive VP of Aerospace & Defense at Hexagon | NovAtel, also emphasized the importance of their partnership, saying, “We’ve been pioneers in safety-critical positioning technology since the field’s early days, often working hand in hand with CMC. It’s exciting to support partners advancing their industries with leading-edge positioning technology.”

With the ongoing evolution of GNSS-related threats, CMC Electronics and Hexagon | NovAtel are at the forefront of developing secure, resilient, and assured navigation solutions for the commercial aviation, military, and unmanned aerial systems markets. Their collaborative efforts are setting the stage for a new era of aviation navigation, providing unparalleled safety and reliability in the face of increasingly sophisticated jamming and spoofing threats.

Other Leading APNT Systems in Aviation

While the CMC Electronics and Hexagon | NovAtel collaboration represents a leading example of APNT advancements, several other companies are also pushing the envelope in developing solutions to secure aviation navigation. These systems integrate a variety of technologies, such as inertial navigation systems (INS), radar, and alternative terrestrial signals, to create hybrid systems that ensure continued accurate positioning even in the event of GNSS disruption.

1. Rockwell Collins (now part of Collins Aerospace): Known for their GPS-aided inertial navigation systems (GAINS), Collins Aerospace offers systems that integrate GNSS and inertial technologies, providing highly reliable navigation solutions. These systems are designed for both commercial and military aviation, offering redundancy and ensuring navigation continuity when GNSS is compromised.
2. Honeywell: Honeywell’s BendixKing brand provides a range of APNT solutions designed to protect commercial and military aviation platforms. Their systems integrate advanced GNSS receivers with backup technologies, ensuring reliability and safety under a variety of operational conditions.
3. Garmin: For smaller aircraft and unmanned systems, Garmin offers multi-sensor APNT solutions, combining GPS, radar, and barometric altimetry to offer redundancy and enhance navigation accuracy.
4. Thales: Thales has been developing high-performance GNSS-based systems for both civil and military aviation. Their solutions combine GNSS, inertial sensors, and radar to create robust, hybrid navigation systems that can continue to provide accurate data even in challenging environments.

These systems, like the MCMF GNSS platform from CMC and Hexagon, are critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of global aviation operations. By integrating multiple sensors and navigation technologies, they offer unmatched resilience to jamming, spoofing, and other GNSS threats, paving the way for a secure and dependable future in aviation navigation.

The Future of Aviation Navigation: A Necessity for the Global Aviation Ecosystem

The risks posed by GNSS vulnerabilities, particularly jamming and spoofing, highlight the urgent need for secure, resilient, and assured navigation solutions in the aviation industry. With the increasing reliance on GNSS for both military and commercial aviation, ensuring the safety, security, and operational efficiency of global air traffic systems is critical.

APNT is positioning itself as the cornerstone of a secure aviation ecosystem, offering a solution that guarantees continued, accurate navigation, regardless of GNSS signal interference. As aviation authorities and manufacturers continue to develop and deploy advanced APNT systems, the aviation industry can move forward with confidence, knowing that the risks posed by GNSS vulnerabilities are being addressed head-on. These systems are not just an option but a necessity for the future of aviation, safeguarding air travel against the growing threats of jamming and spoofing. With ongoing advancements in APNT technology, the aviation sector is set to become more secure and resilient than ever before, ensuring the safety and reliability of air travel for decades to come.