U.S. Air Force chooses Collins Aerospace GPS anti-jam receiver

December 11, 2018  - By

The U.S. Air Force has selected an anti-jam GPS receiver from Collins Aerospace (through the division formerly known as Rockwell Collins) for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve F-16 fighter aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (USAF AFLCMC) chose Collins Aerospace to supply its latest-generation Digital GPS Anti-Jam Receiver (DIGAR), designed to prevent jamming of GPS signals.

The DIGAR receivers will provide highly reliable navigation for U.S. Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve F-16 aircraft operating in contested, electromagnetic environments.

This will be the first combat fighter aircraft to be installed with the latest version of the receiver.

“As enemies continue to find new ways to affect the ability to navigate, the latest DIGAR will provide the highest level of protection available so our warfighters can execute missions with precision and accuracy,” said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation & Electronic Warfare Solutions for Collins Aerospace.

Image: Rockwell Collins

Image: Collins Aerospace

Integration of the DIGAR requires no changes to existing operational flight programs or A-kit aircraft wiring, lowering the risk and cost involved to upgrade.

Built on an open systems architecture, the DIGAR is designed for use across a variety of aircraft platforms that include rotary wing, fixed-wing fighter, bomber, transport aircraft and small to large unmanned aerial systems.

DIGAR is a form, fit replacement for existing antenna electronic systems with demonstrated performance that exceeds legacy capability, the company said.

DIGAR Features

  • Superior digital beamforming or nulling anti-jam
  • Up to 16 simultaneous beams for superior jamming immunity to 125+ dB J/S performance (beamsteering mode, actual performance is classified.)
  • Two- to seven-element CRPA compatible
  • Simultaneous L1/L2 protection
  • Supports Y-code and M-code Anti-jam
  • Supports STAP/SFAP beamforming
  • Two form factors: DIGAR-200 (218 cubic inches) or DIGAR-300 (75 cubic inches)
  • Supports retrofit AE-1/GAS-1/ADAP platforms

 

About the Author: Tracy Cozzens

Senior Editor Tracy Cozzens joined GPS World magazine in 2006. She also is editor of GPS World’s newsletters and the sister website Geospatial Solutions. She has worked in government, for non-profits, and in corporate communications, editing a variety of publications for audiences ranging from federal government contractors to teachers.