BAE Systems starts initial production, delivery of NavGuide GPS

The DAGR-SA system on trial with the British Army comprises a Rockwell DAGR GPS terminal in a drop-down hands-free harness configuration, coupled to a Harris RF-300U SPR pocketset. (Rockwell Collins)

BAE Systems has begun full-rate production and initial deliveries of its NavGuide Global Positiong System (GPS) receiver for US Department of Defense (DoD) customers, and the company is weighing future sales to foreign armed forces.

Company officials have “received [orders] from multiple services across” DoD and are currently “fielding inquiries from over 20 international customers through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process”, Zack Hamilton, portfolio director for ground navigation at BAE Systems, told Janes via email on 29 April.

Hamilton declined to provide details regarding which US service branches would be receiving the new military code (M-Code) enabled GPS receiver, or which countries have reached out to BAE Systems about possible FMS procurements.

The NavGuide system is a portable, handheld A-PNT device designed to replace legacy Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) systems. The platform's end-user interface features a three-inch, full-colour screen for use during dismounted operations.

When fielded aboard tactical vehicles, the NavGuide's form factor matches that of the DAGR system, enabling vehicle crews to mount the new system using DAGR mounting points already in the vehicle, company officials said.

The M-Code GPS capability integrated into the NavGuide system is designed to increase signal strength and improve defence against signal jamming and spoofing, compared with legacy Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)-enabled GPS A-PNT systems, according to company officials.

The M-Code GPS capability integrated into the new NavGuide system is likely based on similar technology included in BAE Systems' Strategic Anti-jam Beamforming Receiver – M-Code (SABR-M) GPS receiver, rolled out in June 2022.