AeroVironment Wasp AE to be fitted with secure GPS capability
Rockwell Collins has been selected by AeroVironment to provide its MicroGRAM GPS receiver for the Wasp AE small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS), bringing secure, jam-resistant GPS capability to a micro UAV for the first time. The addition of secure GPS will significantly reduce the possibility that the SUAV can be jammed by enemy forces.
Launched in 2011, the MicroGRAM’s 90 percent size reduction over its predecessor means that equipment such as SUAS, handheld radios, ruggedised field computers, laser range finders and gun sights can now be equipped with secure GPS capability.
Rockwell Collins said the system’s security features are the result of leveraging the company’s work providing Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS capabilities to warfighters. MicroGRAM (GPS Receiver Application Module) is enabled by the latest generation, single-die SAASM now in production. Compared to previous SAASM GPS technology, this latest device provides ‘significant size, weight and power reductions for micro-embedded applications’.
The company said SAASM GPS encapsulates all GPS classified data and signal processing into one tamper-proof module, providing jamming and spoofing protection for US and allied forces operating in hostile environments.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first
UK flight test sees largest unmanned aircraft take off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
-
Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut
CATIC have displayed its new AR-2000 drone at Dubai Airshow 2023, emphasising ship-based capabilities with PLA already purchasing.
-
Australian Triton takes to the skies
Australia has ordered four Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS which can operate as an uncrewed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) alongside the country’s in-service Boeing P-8A MPA fleet.
-
Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS
The Khronos tethered UAS has been designed to be simple to use and has drawn on Elistair’s experience with hundreds of existing customers.
-
Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024
The use of long-duration Uncrewed Surface Vehicles for maritime surveillance and monitoring has become part of the fleet inventory as navies try to reduce the level of effort required to gather intelligence on areas of interest.
-
Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities
A growing number of uncrewed systems have been on show at Sydney's Indo-Pacific Maritime exhibition with a select few currently being trialled to see if they can enhance the Royal Australian Navy's surveillance levels.