BAE Systems has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 2 Miniature Serial Interface (MSI) program, marking a significant milestone in the development of an advanced military GPS receiver and next-generation semiconductor. This development is part of a $247 million contract awarded in 2020 by the U.S. Space Force.
The MGUE Increment 2 MSI program is centered around the integration of a Next-Generation Application Specific Integrated Circuit (NG ASIC), which aims to enhance the security and performance of M-Code technology. M-Code is designed to be resistant to jamming and spoofing, crucial for military GPS applications. The NG ASIC technology also ensures compatibility with future BAE Systems M-Code GPS receivers.
Luke Bishop, director of Navigation and Sensor Systems at BAE Systems, emphasized the significance of the CDR, stating, “Clearing CDR is a major milestone that paves the way for smaller high-performance receivers on the battlefield. We are one step closer to delivering our warfighters the next generation of Global Navigation Satellite System Position, Navigation and Timing.”
The MGUE Increment 2 program’s objectives include the development of an advanced, security-certified M-Code NG ASIC. This component is intended to provide reliable Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in GPS-challenged environments, incorporate multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) robustness, and reduce power consumption for military applications in airborne, maritime, and ground domains.
Additionally, the program aims to develop and qualify a small form-factor MSI GNSS receiver for applications requiring low size, weight, and power, facilitating integration into a wide range of platforms.
The program is on track for completion in 2025, with deployment planned for the U.S. and its allies. The development is being conducted at BAE Systems’ facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
This achievement underscores BAE Systems’ commitment to advancing military GPS technology to meet the needs of modern warfare and defense operations, ensuring robust and reliable navigation and guidance solutions.
