Request For Information: Resilient Timing and Positioning System for Operation in Degraded GNSS Environments

Request For Information: Resilient Timing and Positioning System for Operation in Degraded GNSS Environments

1. Background

The UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is seeking information from suppliers regarding commercially available and proven Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems capable of providing accurate timing and position information in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) services may be degraded, denied, disrupted or manipulated. The intended application is the provision of:

1. a highly accurate UTC-referenced timing signal, and

2. a static position solution

to an external system operating in contested electromagnetic environments. This RFI is intended to identify mature technologies and assess the current state of the market. Responses will be used to inform future engagement and procurement activities. Please note: The Authority reserves the right not to undertake future procurement activities following completion of the RFI.

2. Required Capability

2.1. Timing Performance

The system shall:

• Provide a 1 Pulse Per Second (1PPS) output traceable to UTC.
• Provide a 10 MHz frequency reference output.
• Maintain a timing accuracy of better than ±30 ns relative to UTC.
• Maintain timing accuracy during normal operation and throughout the required holdover period.

2.2. Positioning Performance

The system shall:

• Provide a static position solution with an accuracy better than 5 m relative to surveyed ground truth.

2.3. Holdover

The system shall:

• Maintain compliance with the timing and position accuracy requirements during a continuous 12-hour loss of all external PNT signal sources.

2.4. Resilience

The system shall:

• Continue to provide compliant timing and positioning performance in the presence of GNSS jamming and spoofing.
• Be capable of acquiring and establishing an initial timing and position solution in the presence of GNSS jamming and spoofing.
• Where non-GNSS PNT sources are utilised (e.g. LEO-PNT), the system shall demonstrate resilience to jamming and interference affecting those signal sources.

2.5. Technology Maturity

The system shall:

• Utilise proven technology with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 9, or provide evidence of equivalent operational deployment and maturity.

2.6. Operational Environment

The system shall:

• Be capable of operating globally.
• Identify any dependencies on antenna siting, sky visibility or supporting infrastructure.
• State any environmental or deployment constraints that could affect performance.

3. Exclusions

The proposed solution shall not:

• Depend upon fixed local infrastructure such as fibre-optic timing distribution networks.
• Require user-generated or user-provided PNT signals.
• Depend upon temporary or ad hoc reference sources that are not persistently available.
• Depend upon any ITAR-controlled components.

4. Information Requested

Suppliers are requested to provide the information detailed below:

• System Description - Overview of the system architecture, operating concept and key subsystems.
• Timing Accuracy - UTC timing accuracy achieved, performance metrics used and evidence supporting claimed performance.
• Position Accuracy - Static position accuracy achieved, performance metrics used and evidence supporting claimed performance.
• Holdover Performance - Timing and position performance during complete loss of external PNT sources, including performance over a continuous 12-hour period.
• PNT Signal Sources - Details of all PNT signals utilised by the system, including GNSS constellations and alternative PNT sources.
• UTC Traceability - Description of how UTC traceability is established and maintained.
• Sensor Fusion - Description of any algorithms or techniques used to combine multiple PNT sources.
• Jamming Resilience - Description of anti-jam techniques employed and results of any relevant testing or operational use.
• Spoofing Resilience - Description of spoofing detection, mitigation and recovery mechanisms together with supporting test evidence.
• Acquisition Capability - Ability to establish an initial timing and position solution in contested environments, including any dependencies or limitations.
• Timing Outputs - Details of all timing and frequency outputs provided.
• Data Outputs - Position, navigation and status outputs available from the system together with supported interfaces and protocols.
• Oscillator Technology - Details of oscillator technology used (e.g. OCXO, DOCXO, Rubidium, CSAC), including its contribution to holdover performance.
• External Dependencies - Any requirements for external services, subscriptions, assistance data or cloud connectivity.
• Environmental Constraints - Environmental operating limits, deployment considerations and installation requirements.
• SWaP - Size, weight and power consumption.
• Unit Cost - Indicative unit pricing and any recurring costs.
• Operational Use - Details of operational deployments, customer usage, certifications or fielded applications.
• Technology Readiness - Evidence supporting the stated technology readiness level.

RFI Deadline: 9th December 2026 at 17:00

Responses should be submitted via Microsoft Word/ PDF file and include the following: a covering letter including your company details and then the proposed solution ensuring all of the above details (information requested) are covered. Responses to this RFI are to be sent via email to the following address: SP4Commercial@dstl.gov.uk

Please use the subject title: RFI Response - Resilient Timing and Positioning System for Operation in Degraded GNSS Environments