Cobham secures UK contract for GNSS anti-jamming

Cobham make the anti-jam GPS for the Lynx Wildcat. (Photo: U.K. Ministry of Defense)

Research contract to protect satellite signals from interference

Cobham Aerospace Connectivity will research advanced GNSS anti-jam techniques for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense (UK-MOD). The research contract was awarded by the Ministry of Defense’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) office.

Under the contract, Cobham will develop means to provide assured and resilient position navigation and timing (PNT) information derived from GNSS. The company has extensive background in advanced antenna technology and sophisticated signal-processing capabilities.

Cobham makes the conformal GPS CRPA for the Eurofighter Typhoon. (Photo: Cobham)

The research is set against a backdrop of increasing reliance on GNSS navigation signals in the nation’s critical infrastructure and national security and the frequent interruptions of the signals either accidentally or intentionally. The more sophisticated interruptions involve the falsification of the navigation signal information for nefarious reasons such as piracy, civil disruption and military advantage.

Cobham’s goal is to take already-developed anti-jam capability and develop a miniaturized system that can provide an advanced means of protection of the navigation signals received from the GNSS multi-constellation network.

Cobham beam-forming anti-jam GNSS digital antenna control unit. (Photo: Cobham)

The anti-jam system will combine the use of advanced controlled radiation pattern array (CRPA) antenna technology with intelligent digital signal-processing techniques. It will be designed to ensure reliable and assured navigation information, as well as derive important signal intelligence and domain-awareness information regarding the source and nature of the interference and the best means of mitigation.

“This contract award recognises Cobham’s status as a major UK provider of anti-jam systems as well as our long history and deep experience in the areas of navigation antennas and satellite connectivity,” said Neil Tomlinson, vice president of Sales and Business Development at Cobham. “We look forward to working with DE&S in this initial phase and subsequent work on this exciting project.”