Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has become an integral part of Mission Command systems and military ground vehicle architectures. It plays an important role in the successful execution of tactical missions. The term “GPS” conveys positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data, data that is essential in virtually every modern weapon system. Precision timing provides joint forces the capability to synchronize operations and communications. PNT also enables precision attack from stand-off distances, reducing collateral damage and allowing friendly forces to avoid threat areas.
The dependence on GPS exemplifies the need for the US military to protect PNT sources to assure unhindered access. The concept of “Assured PNT” is an important topic with military GPS stakeholders around the world.
The Assured PNT strategy will allows access to all sources of PNT, not just GPS. It is based upon three objectives:
- Reduce size, weight and power consumption through the systematic elimination of redundant systems;
- Increase protection to ensure PNT is available and trusted through improvements that keep pace with threats and are scalable;
- Develop ability to migrate to secure GPS informed and guided by the Assured PNT System of Systems Architecture
Enhanced D3 (ED3)
ED3 is capable of providing Resilient PNT distribution on a mounted platform with true port independence. Each system that is plugged into the ED3 has full control over the port from the ED3 as if the device has its own DAGR.
It is a smart GPS "Hub" that will perform the function of up to eight GB-GRAMS (i.e. DAGR or similar device). It is not a router or a splitter as ED3 will distribute ICD-GPS-153 PNT data simultaneously to multiple communication or weapon systems that require GPS information. It is optimized for A-PNT and supports the US Army's System of Systems (SoS) strategy.
The Enhanced D3 distributes centralized IS-GPS-153 and MSID messages to up to 8 independent, unique interfaces. It is designed and qualified for the mounted environment. Supported clients include tactical radios, FBCB2/BFT, Laptop/Falconview, MRT’s and others. The newest addition to the family of D3 Devices can provide SAASM or M-code protected GPS.
Learn more about ED3 and how it helps support an Affordable Assured PNT Strategy for Military Ground Vehicles.
