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Session C7: Military PNT Equipment: M-Code Receiver Testing

R-EGI MCNAV Complimentary Vision Navigation Demonstration
Joseph Rufo, Tanner Koza, and Robert C. Leishman, IS4S
Location: Ballroom D
Date/Time: Tuesday, Jun. 3, 4:25 p.m.

The global emergence of debilitating GNSS radio frequency interference (RFI) has required the development of complementary positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) sources for modern and legacy military platforms. Traditionally, these platforms have been dependent upon GNSS as their primary form of position-fixing, but recent RFI events in Eastern Europe and the Middle East—among other domestic events—have reaffirmed GNSS is incredibly vulnerable and cannot be completely relied on in theatre. Unfortunately, the integration of new complementary PNT sources into fielded and prospective systems proves difficult because of decades of technical debt and the concept of proprietary “vendor lock.” As a result, current military PNT technology cannot keep up with the demand for assured PNT solutions in contested environments. This delay in integrating state-of-the-art complementary PNT has inspired the creation of Modular Open System Architectures/Approaches (MOSA) for PNT systems across DoD, as they allow for easy extensibility and rapid development of complementary PNT systems.
The Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS (R-EGI) program of record exists to easily supplement traditional EGI functionality through MOSA and ensure robust PNT solutions for the warfighter in the presence of evolving GNSS threats. Specifically, the Mission Capability Navigation (MCNAV) component of R-EGI has been created to rapidly test, integrate, and fuse complementary PNT sources with GNSS/INS sensors on legacy aerial platforms. R-EGI MCNAV welcomes the addition of physical sensors and algorithms for complementary PNT, so long as they comply with the corresponding open messaging standard. This data standard is the All-Source Position and Navigation (ASPN) standard that has been directed by DoD and developed by the DoD PNT community. ASPN messages facilitate easy integration of any legacy or contemporary sensors and algorithms while eliminating the effects of “vendor lock” by allowing for the integration of new algorithms and methods within the pntOS API. This ease of integration through ASPN compliance stimulates quick improvement of PNT solutions in the face of emerging threats, closing the gap between the state-of-the-art and what is fielded in theatre.
AEVEX Aerospace has created a modular, ASPN-compliant vision navigation system for aerial platforms called LynxVBN. Without the need for a radio frequency signal, AEVEX Aerospace’s vision navigation unit cannot be overwhelmed by RFI. A complementary navigation unit such as this is a key component to enabling the resilient PNT that R-EGI seeks to provide.
We present results for and a technical presentation regarding the astounding integration of the AEVEX vision navigation system, called LYNX VBN, with the R-EGI MCNAV for a USAF flight test. The project was completed in less than 30 days from kick-off to flight test. There were two parts of the integration: the first of the AEVEX vision navigation system with R-EGI and the second of both systems into the USAF aircraft. GPS signals were completely disconnected from the system shortly after takeoff, showcasing R-EGI performance in an entirely GPS-denied environment. The MCNAV pntOS-based filter receives updates from the complimentary vision navigation algorithm and is able to correct the errors in the IMU to maintain mission capability despite the GPS-denied circumstances.
The R-EGI architecture has been designed to be open, modular, adaptable, and pluggable. These demonstrated strengths streamlined integration in a way that is for the modern warfighter. The R-EGI MCNAV subsystem welcomes outside vendors (e.g., AEVEX Aerospace) to incorporate their rising-edge technology without the brick wall of vendor lock. AEVEX Aerospace and its complementary vision navigation solution is just a small example of the unbounded number of PNT devices and methods that the R-EGI MCNAV system can support. R-EGI is a means that will drive the industry to push not only the technology of competitors but themselves as well. Our discussion will entail results from the AEVEX Aerospace complimentary vision navigation demonstration, and we will discuss the events of the single month required to integrate our two systems that had never been used together previously.

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