Fielding of the Mounted Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing System, MAPS, GEN II hardware is underway across the Army to provide increased operational effectiveness with advanced positioning, navigation and timing, PNT, systems.
MAPS GEN II is the next-generation PNT system used to provide highly accurate and resilient PNT data to Army vehicles, especially in GPS-degraded or denied environments.
Fielding of the MAPS GEN II systems supports Transformation in Contact 2.0, the Army’s current initiative to rapidly deliver new equipment to operational units.
GEN I vs. GEN II – What’s changed?
The goal when developing MAPS GEN II was GPS security, first and foremost. At the most basic level if Soldiers don’t know where they are or where they are going and have confidence in the information, that’s not a very effective Army. PNT’s number one priority is to enable Soldiers to shoot, move and communicate.
The old trope, never judge a book by its cover, is true for MAPS GEN II. While it may look similar to its predecessor, GEN II boasts several welcomed improvements.
With the advancements in electronic warfare threats, a hardened, more secure PNT system was necessary. MAPS GEN II has stronger and more secure encryption through M-Code, uses alternative sensors providing sensor fusion and advancements to the exterior antenna providing Soldiers with more advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities, two of the main electronic warfare threats the Army faces.
“Jamming is disruptive, but spoofing can be far more damaging,” Jennifer Thermos, acting product manager, Mounted PNT said. “When you don’t have a GPS signal, you know something’s wrong but there are still ways to take action. With spoofing, you’re still getting GPS signal but if you don’t have a system like MAPS GEN II that can recognize a spoofing attempt and reject it, you could be following a false GPS signal which could lead you right to where the enemy wants you.”
“MAPS GEN II is able to detect and reject GPS interference and provide the Soldier with a notification that it is operating despite the electronic warfare environment,” Thermos said.
The system was designed with size, weight and power in mind, as are all Army systems, to address space limitations inside vehicles.
“MAPS GEN II can take the place of MAPS GEN I systems as well as multiple Defense Advanced GPS Receivers, providing Assured PNT to client systems with one platform,” Thermos explained.
C2 Enabler
Built using open architecture standards which allows modularity and scalability, MAPS GEN II easily integrates with various platforms currently in use as well as future systems still in development that fall under the Command and Control, C2, umbrella.
MAPS GEN II also fits in well with Next Generation Command and Control, NGC2, architecture, part of the “how” the Army accomplishes its TIC goals. The system is a critical enabler of C2 and Fires capabilities. Networks, radios and Fires systems rely on highly accurate timing and positioning data to function.
“If legacy systems don’t have accurate timing and positioning data, the effectiveness of the system overall is degraded,” Thermos explained. “We want to provide every Soldier the full capability, so we want to field as many MAPS GEN II systems as possible, and as fast as possible.”
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Training
MAPS GEN II represents a significant leap forward in assured PNT capabilities, but realizing its full potential requires Soldiers to be proficient in its operation and maintenance. The new equipment training provided a foundational understanding of the system’s architecture, operational procedures, troubleshooting techniques and integration with existing platforms.
“This training isn’t simply about learning how to use the system; it is about building confidence and fostering a proactive approach to maintaining PNT superiority in contested environments,” Maj. Shay Wright, assistant product manager, Mounted PNT production and fielding lead said. “Without this dedicated training, the Brigade’s ability to effectively leverage MAPS GEN II’s capabilities would be severely hampered.”
Fresh off training, the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to the 7th Infantry Division, put MAPS GEN II through its paces during a follow-on training event.
“GPS jamming was an issue we had to deal with in training,” Capt. Tianna Johnson, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team said. “We must be prepared to respond to GPS jamming. In one case, MAPS indicated a detected threat, which was exactly what MAPS GEN II was designed to do, and we were able to take the appropriate actions.”
The value of in-person, hands-on training is not an expense, but a critical investment in maintaining our warfighting edge.
Future Plans
With fielding and training to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team complete, the MAPS Team at Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors is focused on fielding and training various units including other TIC units, continuing with Stryker BCTs.
New Equipment Fielding is critically important to maintaining Army readiness and achieving overmatch against potential adversaries. These trainings enhance combat capability, maintain readiness levels and align with Army priorities.
By Shawn Nesaw
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