Washington, D.C. (Agencies): The United States Space Force (USSF) has unveiled the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing – Secure Electronic Navigation Threat Intelligence and Location (PNT-SENTINEL) program, a groundbreaking initiative to protect critical GPS infrastructure from jamming and spoofing attacks.
In partnership with Slingshot Aerospace, the USSF has allocated $1.9 million to enhance Slingshot’s advanced technologies for detecting and mitigating GPS interference. The collaboration will focus on improving geolocation accuracy, predicting patterns of interference, and strengthening defenses against threats to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including the European Galileo constellation.
“The ability to ingest data from multiple GNSS sources enables allied nations to contribute information, creating a more comprehensive, real-time view of jamming activity,” Slingshot Aerospace officials said.
The program incorporates cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics, enabling faster identification of interference sources and distinguishing between accidental disruptions and deliberate attacks. A new user-friendly interface will empower US and allied military forces to make informed decisions during operations.
Slingshot’s existing network leverages data from thousands of satellites to provide near-real-time monitoring of GPS signals. The new funding aims to advance the company’s Data Exploitation and Enhanced Processing (DEEP) capability, a cornerstone of the PNT-SENTINEL initiative.
This program highlights the USSF’s commitment to ensuring the reliability of GPS systems, which are vital for military operations, civilian infrastructure, and global commerce. By addressing emerging threats to navigation and timing services, the PNT-SENTINEL initiative underscores the growing importance of safeguarding space-based assets in an increasingly contested domain.