TrustPoint, a commercial GPS and navigation technology company, has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract by AFWERX, totaling $1.6 million. This contract focuses on the development of advanced, resilient navigation applications to meet critical challenges faced by the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
In collaboration with the Naval Postgraduate School, TrustPoint aims to enhance its Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) capabilities, paving the way for applications that will bolster the national defense of the United States.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX have partnered to optimize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and STTR processes. Their efforts aim to ensure quicker proposal-to-award timelines, broadening the applicant pool to include more small businesses, and reducing bureaucratic overhead through ongoing process improvements. Since the initiation of the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018, the DAF has expanded the scope of innovations it funds, with TrustPoint’s project commencing on April 2, 2024.
Patrick Shannon, CEO and Founder of TrustPoint, expressed enthusiasm about the Department of Defense’s (DoD) continued investment in TrustPoint’s advanced Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications. “This program represents a significant next step in the U.S. Government’s support for TrustPoint’s innovative suite of PNT applications, which extend far beyond traditional GPS-based positioning,” Shannon stated. He also highlighted the DoD’s shared vision for the future of commercial space-based PNT technologies.
About TrustPoint
TrustPoint is at the forefront of creating a commercial GPS service through its C-Band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Designed from the ground up, the TrustPoint system aims to meet the high standards of performance, security, and availability required for autonomous navigation, critical infrastructure, and national security applications.
About the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
The AFRL serves as the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. It leads in the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a workforce of over 12,500 across various technology areas and operations worldwide, the AFRL offers a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from basic research to advanced technology development.
About AFWERX
AFWERX, the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the AFRL, is dedicated to bringing American ingenuity from small businesses and startups to address the DAF’s critical challenges. With a team of approximately 370 personnel and an annual budget of $1.4 billion, AFWERX has facilitated over 6,028 new contracts worth more than $4 billion since 2019, aiming to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and accelerate technology transition to operational capabilities.
