DARPA looking for less-vulnerable alternatives to GPS
By Loren Blinde
July 13, 2014
The Global Positioning System (GPS) has become the predominant way to obtain positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) in military and civilian systems, but because GPS is vulnerable to interference due to its low signal strength, DARPA is looking for an alternative system to GPS that can provide accurate PNT.
“To address these limitations, DARPA is soliciting proposals for the Spatial, Temporal and Orientation Information in Contested Environments (STOIC) program to develop PNT systems that provide GPS-independent PNT with GPS-level timing and positioning performance,” explains a presolicitation notice published by DARPA last month. “STOIC comprises three primary elements that when integrated have the potential to provide global PNT independent of GPS: 1) long-range robust reference signals, 2) ultra-stable tactical clocks, and 3) multifunctional systems that provide PNT information between cooperative users. When complete, the STOIC program will provide GPS-like and better PNT for contested environments where GPS performance is degraded or unavailable.”
DARPA anticipates making multiple awards to successful proposers, said the agency.
