U.S. Air Force awards contract to Perceptronics and Pacific Defense for ai/ml-enabled airborne RF situational awareness. * Technology * 31 Aug 2026 9:12 pm AEST * Share Pacific Defense This contract represents an important step in maturing and operationalizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms for warfighters operating in contested and congested electromagnetic spectrum environments. Integrating this AI/ML capability with Pacific Defense's Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) aligned EW product line enables rapid, adaptive responses to emerging threats - moving decision timelines from human speed to machine speed. The contract builds upon earlier SOSA AI/ML EW demonstration programs and will further mature advanced emitter-tracking algorithms, integrate electronic attack techniques, and validate operational performance through airborne demonstration on representative USAF platforms - all within a fully Open Mission Systems (OMS) compliant SOSA architecture. "This program accelerates how advanced AI can be brought directly into the hands of operational units," said Elan Freedy, General Manager of Perceptronics Solutions. "By combining modern AI techniques with open-architecture EW systems, we're helping operators maintain decision superiority in environments where milliseconds matter." "The Air Force is advancing open architecture systems to detect and identify electromagnetic emissions from the air, enabling real-time understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) in contested environments," said Frank Pietryka, VP of EW, SIGINT and Autonomy at Pacific Defense. "Modern AI/ML algorithms overcome the limitations of legacy systems to counter modern threats." The awarded contract includes a 12-month period of performance, with primary work performed at Pacific Defense and Perceptronics facilities in Nashua, NH, El Segundo, CA, and Fairfax, VA. About Perceptronics

US Air Force takes over Military GPS modernization programs. The US Air Force has formally taken over management of two military GPS receiver modernization programs in a move aimed at accelerating the delivery of more resilient navigation capabilities to US forces. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center officially assumed responsibility for the Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1 and Increment 2 programs from the US Space Force after signing the Military GPS User Equipment Transition Support Plan. MGUE Increment 1 and Increment 2 introduce upgraded GPS receivers capable of operating in contested electromagnetic environments through enhanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technologies. The transfer centralizes development, acquisition, and sustainment of military Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) user equipment under the M-Code Aviation Receivers Joint Program Office, allowing the service to oversee the systems throughout their entire lifecycle. The transition began in November 2024 with the creation of the M-Code Aviation Receivers Joint Program Office. US expands resilient PNT modernization. The MGUE transition is one of several recent US efforts to strengthen resilient PNT capabilities as military operations become increasingly vulnerable to GPS disruption. In July, the US Army awarded Pacific Defense a contract to develop the next generation of its Assured PNT plug-in card, advancing the service's modular navigation architecture for military vehicles under the CMOSS Mounted Form Factor program. Earlier, in April, Northrop Grumman delivered the first production unit of its modernized Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System, combining inertial sensors with satellite navigation to maintain accurate positioning even when GPS signals are degraded or denied.

Pacific Defense to develop next-gen gps-denied navigation card for US Army. 2 minutes read The US Army has contracted Pacific Defense to develop the next generation of its Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) plug-in card for military platforms. The award covers development of an enhanced version of the company's Block 1 APNT plug-in card, aligned to the US Army's CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) program requirements. Pacific Defense will design, build, and test prototype hardware for delivery to the army to support system integration and evaluation. The contract follows earlier APNT development work carried out by the company through internal research, previous US government programs, and collaborations with industry and government partners. Assured PNT technologies have become an increasing priority for the US military as potential adversaries expand their capabilities to jam or spoof GPS signals. These systems are intended to maintain reliable positioning, navigation, and timing information by combining GPS with alternative navigation sources and onboard sensors, allowing military platforms to continue operating in contested electromagnetic environments. Block 2 capability. According to Pacific Defense, the Block 2 APNT plug-in card is built as a rugged 3U VPX module compliant with both The Open Group's Sensor Open Systems Architecture and the C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards, US Department of Defense initiatives aimed at improving interoperability and simplifying technology upgrades across military systems. The module is designed to fuse data from GPS, alternative navigation signals, inertial sensors, and vehicle information to provide navigation and timing data when satellite navigation signals are degraded or unavailable. "Our APNT PIC products are designed from the outset to operate in contested environments and to evolve quickly as new technologies emerge, ensuring soldiers retain mission effectiveness when GPS is degraded or denied," said Mike Repko, general manager of APNT programs at Pacific Defense. "This award reflects our commitment to helping our customers solve the assured PNT problem and advancing standards-based MOSA solutions that can be rapidly integrated and deployed across operational platforms." Although the initial effort is focused on US Army mounted ground vehicles and aviation platforms, Pacific Defense said the technology could also be adapted for airborne, ground, and maritime systems used by US and allied forces. The contract is structured as a multi-phase, multi-year program. Work will be carried out at the company's facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mukilteo, Washington; Sunnyvale, California; and El Segundo, California.