Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing

The Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) program is a critical Army modernization initiative aimed at providing resilient, reliable, and secure positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities to Army ground forces. The primary objective of this line item is to ensure Army units can operate effectively in environments where access to traditional Global Positioning System (GPS) signals may be limited, degraded, or denied due to electronic warfare, jamming, or spoofing by adversaries. The APNT program addresses two key capability gaps: access ensuring soldiers can retrieve accurate PNT information in contested environments and integrity ensuring the trustworthiness of that information. This capability underpins a range of Army operations, including maneuver, fires, intelligence, mission command, and communications. It is foundational for multi-domain operations.

The Dismounted Assured PNT System (DAPS) is designed to deliver assured PNT to dismounted soldiers, commanders, and end-user devices, enabling effective targeting, data sharing, and mission command even in GPS-denied environments. The FY 2026 budget requests procurement of DAPS GEN II systems, along with spares, integrated logistics support, engineering changes, and services for fielding to Brigade Combat Teams. DAPS GEN II incorporates M-Code GPS, alternative navigation (ALTNAV) signals, and stand-alone operation, providing increased resilience and survivability. The system has been operationally tested and approved for full-rate production, aligning with Congressional and Department of Defense guidance for fielding M-Code GPS to dismounted forces.

The Mounted Assured PNT System (MAPS) GEN II provides assured PNT to mounted platforms, such as armored, Stryker, and infantry brigade combat teams. The FY 2026 request includes procurement of MAPS GEN II systems, spares, A-kits, logistics support, integration, and engineering services. MAPS GEN II fuses data from multiple sensors and receivers including M-Code GPS and ALTNAV signals within an internal navigation hub, distributing assured PNT to the platform and client systems. An external Anti-Jam Antenna System (AJAS) further protects GPS access and enhances resilience against electronic attacks. MAPS GEN II has also been tested and approved for full-rate production, supporting the Army's requirements for resilient, survivable, and modernized ground user equipment.

Alternative Navigation (ALTNAV) provides a global navigation solution that serves as a complementary or contingency source of positioning and timing information when GPS is degraded or denied. The FY 2026 budget includes procurement and fielding of ALTNAV Ground Control Segment network equipment, systems/software engineering, and contractor logistics support. ALTNAV is a key element in the Army's PNT PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) Plan, ensuring continued operational effectiveness under National Defense Authorization Act guidance. In May 2024, ALTNAV was authorized to enter the Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Fielding pathway, expediting its deployment to the field.

The Mounted/Dismounted Receivers sub-line item previously supported the deployment of Resiliency and Software Assurance Measures (RSAM) to legacy Selective Availability Anti-Spoof Module (SAASM)-based military GPS receivers, such as the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and embedded Ground Based GPS Receiver Applications Module (GB-GRAM). These measures enable legacy receivers to recognize, reject, and report compromised navigation data. However, there is no funding requested for this sub-line item in FY 2026, as the focus has shifted to fielding more advanced APNT solutions.

The APNT program is structured to support the Army's deliberate transformation and Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) environments. It is guided by requirements approved by the Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) and the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC), ensuring alignment with Congressional and Office of the Secretary of Defense directives. The program also adheres to the Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) standards, enabling future modernization and integration with new weapons systems. By investing in both dismounted and mounted solutions, as well as alternative navigation capabilities, the APNT program aims to provide comprehensive, layered PNT assurance for Army operations across all domains.