Resilient C-band signals demonstrated through GNSS interference on NovAtel’s established receiver platform, accelerating the path to commercial resilient PNT

TrustPoint, a pioneer in next-generation space-based positioning and navigation solutions, has successfully demonstrated the operation of its C-band signals in the presence of GNSS interference under contract with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

In partnership with Hexagon, the global leader in measurement technologies, the company has successfully operated an enhanced C-band receiver developed by NovAtel, part of Hexagon, accelerating the path to commercial availability.

The demonstration marks a significant step forward in the commercialization of GNSS-independent PNT, bringing together TrustPoint’s resilient C-band service with NovAtel’s proven receiver technology to deliver positioning capability in GNSS-denied environments.

By integrating C-band capabilities into a NovAtel GNSS receiver, the partnership advances the path toward C-band-enabled GNSS solutions, marking an important step forward for the navigation industry.

“For the first time, C-band signals have operated through interference on a receiver the industry already trusts. This is a new baseline for what resilient PNT means,” said Patrick Shannon, Founder and CEO of TrustPoint. “NovAtel and TrustPoint have proven it works. Now we build on it.”

The demonstration confirms that TrustPoint’s C-band signals can be acquired, tracked and used to generate precise positioning data in environments where GPS is degraded or denied by modern electronic warfare. Conducted under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Contract led by the Naval Air Warfare Center – Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), this effort reflects the growing demand among the nation’s most critical defense operators for resilient navigation that performs when it matters most.

“NovAtel has built its reputation on high-performance receiver technology trusted in the most demanding environments,” said Sandy Kennedy, Vice President, Research and Development, Aerospace & Defence Division, Hexagon. “This collaboration with TrustPoint demonstrates how we continue to evolve our products to support emerging signals, even outside of L-band, reinforcing our long-term commitment to innovation in PNT and to partners across the industry.”

For defense, aerospace and autonomous system developers, this result provides an early proof point that TrustPoint’s C-band service can complement existing GNSS approaches while advancing a faster path toward deployable, resilient PNT solutions.

These achievements build on a foundation of world-first milestones. TrustPoint achieved the first live-sky transmission and real-time reception of a C-band GNSS signal in 2025, also in partnership with Hexagon. Building on the first C-band ground-to-space PNT demonstration and the successful launch and operation of three commercial free-flying GNSS satellites, each milestone has advanced TrustPoint’s mission to deliver a trusted, scalable alternative to GPS for autonomous systems, critical infrastructure and national security.