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  • Success Story: Accelerating Innovation for U.S. Special Operations Forces

    In a fast-paced defense landscape, Safran Federal Systems, in close partnership with Anduril, played a pivotal role in rapidly delivering advanced capabilities to support U.S. Special Operations Forces. Success Story: Accelerating Innovation for U.S. Special Operations Forces In a fast-paced defense landscape, Safran Federal Systems , in close partnership with Anduril , played a pivotal role in rapidly delivering advanced capabilities to support U.S. Special Operations Forces. Faced with an urgent operational need, the two companies collaborated to accelerate a critical enhancement , significantly advancing the deployment timeline to meet a high-priority mission requirement. Safran Federal Systems served as the primary software integrator , working directly with Anduril to bring cutting-edge technologies into operational readiness under tight logistical constraints. This joint effort highlights the agility, dedication, and innovation of both teams. The successful integration and rapid fielding of this capability is a testament to Safran Federal Systems’ commitment to supporting mission success at the speed of relevance. “This partnership continues to demonstrate the value of close industry collaboration in delivering impactful, game-changing capabilities to the warfighter,” said Jon Leombrone, Executive Vice President of Navigation Systems at Safran Federal Systems. “We’re honored to contribute to this effort and remain committed to supporting future-focused solutions for our Special Operations partners.” VIEW PDF

  • SecureSync 2400 Ensuring Mission-Critical Time Synchronization

    Ensure mission-critical time synchronization with SecureSync 2400 time server. Military-grade, resilient PNT for navigating GNSS disruptions. Learn more! Home • PNT Library • SecureSync 2400 Ensuring Mission-Critical Time Synchronization SecureSync 2400 Ensuring Mission-Critical Time Synchronization DOWNLOAD PDF By Safran Federal Systems Time Synchronization Data is Foundational to PNT Performance Fundamentally, time synchronization is the alignment of independent clocks to the same time and frequency. It provides critical functionality for services that depend on precise, synchronized timing to manage device security, availability, and efficiency and supports a wide array of business and infrastructure systems. Defense time synchronization applications directly support warfighters in theater through vital Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) functionality. PNT applications leverage GNSS/GPS location data for navigation and precise timekeeping to support operational efficiency and seamless communications. As satellites continuously broadcast their own time and position information, receivers trilaterate, calculating the distance between the receiver and each satellite to determine position and time details for the end user and their equipment. This supports mission-critical communication, movement, and collaborative processes. In military PNT applications, time synchronization for defense requires the highest levels of accuracy and consistency for real-time operational support. In modern theaters, as Electronic Warfare (EW) domains become both more prevalent and more contested, warfighter operations dependent upon PNT functions are increasingly at risk. Escalating AI and machine-to-machine communications capabilities provide new tools for adversaries to disrupt PNT systems and operations and must be accounted for. Figure 1: GPS data provides continuous precise positioning and timekeeping. SecureSync 2400 Delivers Reliable PNT Data Across Domains As industry leaders in the PNT space, Safran Federal Systems (SFS) has developed the SecureSync 2400 - a GNSS time server with a layered-defense approach to address GNSS threats and maintain PNT integrity. In the SecureSync platform, threats are mitigated by building redundancy into the timing system architecture. Redundancy is achieved through the integration of high-performance internal oscillators and strong modularity with a choice of customizable input interfaces. This design approach makes the SecureSync 2400 highly resilient and adaptable. Figure 2: SFS Oscillator Performance Key capabilities of the SecureSync 2400 include: Multi-GNSS receiver built-in M-Code supported Multi-reference failover reliability Modular and scalable with option cards Built-in networking capabilities Comprehensive management and monitoring interfaces High availability with hot swap redundant power supply option Figure 3: SecureSync as an NTP Server and PTP Grandmaster. The platform leverages both Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for a diverse suite of use cases and applications. NTP applications are cost effective and software-driven internet solutions for general IT networks and database servers with millisecond accuracy . PTP applications are high-performance hardware solutions cast on local area networks (LAN) with much tighter tolerances offering microsecond accuracy. They are used for RF communications, radar systems, data transmission, power synchronization, and scientific instrumentation. In military applications, the SecureSync 2400 supports fundamental Command and Control and Datacenter operations. Command and Control : Requires resilient and accurate time and frequency to synchronize systems monitoring and control elements over the network, along with low phase noise frequency references for RF transmitters (radar). May also provide time and frequency for communications and test equipment (radio communications). Datacenter: Resilient and accurate network timing for single or multi-tenant networks. When defense time synchronization and PNT efforts are disrupted, warfighters can suffer communications failure, lose sight and tracking of equipment and personnel, and fail to execute. This risk becomes more pronounced without resilient PNT tools. A secure time server for defense applications, like the SecureSync 2400, mitigates the risk of disruption through an ecosystem of solutions to GNSS threats. Military-Grade Time Synchronization for Resilient PNT Performance For military- and defense-focused applications, time servers need to offer additional performance features beyond commercial NTP and PTP functionality. Resilient Securing time reference acquisition and timescale keeping during GNSS interference differentiates military from commercial applications. Military time servers need varied solutions to address dynamic threats in theater without performance loss. The SecureSync Interference Detection and Mitigation (IDM) suite builds an operational awareness into the solution to mitigate threats. Modular In military use cases, individual time servers generally need to be dynamic and customizable to support evolving threats and requirements while offering field serviceability. This is achieved through modular, open-system designs, like SecureSync, which provides more than 40 installable option cards for additional power and functionality. M-Code Enabled Encrypted M-Code signals provide unique operational benefits to warfighters including strengthened jamming resistance and anti-spoof capabilities. As such, M-Code integration has become a key feature of contemporary military time servers. The SecureSync 2400 is engineered to integrate with M-Code inputs for enhanced protection in challenged environments. Evolution of the SecureSync Platform As both the need for comprehensive time synchronization tools and GNSS threats evolve, the SecureSync time & frequency platform continues to develop. The SecureSync 2400 represents a step forward in resilient timing. The upgraded platform maintains compatibility with the previous SecureSync option card set and emphasizes a renewed focus on critical operations through: Network capability, security, redundancy, & monitoring to support critical operations An advanced SoC system architecture with increased processing capability Improved internal frequency performance and distribution Additionally, the SecureSync 2400 supports multiple NTP and PTP option cards and an ALTNAV module that are unavailable on the SecureSync 1200. Conclusion Warfighter domains are constantly evolving, bringing about new risks to communications and operations through GNSS threats. In order to mitigate these risks, operating forces can leverage military-grade time servers like the SFS SecureSync 2400. This reliable and resilient time server supports complex objectives in GNSS-challenged domains by providing accurate time signals that are critical for mission success. Equipped with powerful oscillators and a proven architecture, the SecureSync 2400 ensures time accuracy and continuity even in the face of GNSS disruptions. With its adaptable and redundant threat detection and mitigation strategy, this time server keeps operations secure and mission-critical tasks running smoothly. In conclusion, the SecureSync 2400 is designed to be Secure , Resilient , Monitored , and Scalable to perform now but also adapt to future GNSS challenges, making it an invaluable asset for military operations. DOWNLOAD PDF

  • ION Joint Navigation Conference 2019 Abstract

    Impact of Temperature and High Vibration in Ground, Shipboard and Aircraft Platforms on GPS-disciplined, Low Phase Noise, Time and Frequency References. Home • PNT Library • ION Joint Navigation Conference 2019 Abstract ION Joint Navigation Conference 2019 Abstract DOWNLOAD PDF By Timothy Tetreault DOWNLOAD PDF

  • The Blueprint for Engineering Success: Part 2 | SafranFederalSystems

    The Blueprint for Engineering Success: Part 2 We are proud to celebrate National Engineers’ Week, a time dedicated to recognizing engineers' impact on shaping the world around us. At Safran Federal Systems, we are fortunate to have an incredible team of engineers whose problem-solving skills, efficiency-driven innovations, and dedication propel our company forward. Their contributions deserve recognition, and this week we are honored to spotlight one of our own: Brent Abbott. This year’s theme, “Design Your Future”, is both a call to action and a celebration of the limitless possibilities in engineering. In part two, we’re diving into the real world of engineering with Brent Abbott, sharing invaluable advice, strategies to stay motivated, and lessons that have shaped his journey. Whether you are embarking on your engineering path or curious about the field, this conversation offers insights that are inspiring and useful. Turning Challenges into Triumphs Challenges are an inevitable part of any profession, but in engineering —where deadlines are tight, obstacles are constant, and solutions must be delivered — overcoming them is a necessity and an achievement. “I think in a similar vein, when you feel like the cards are stacked against you in terms of time to develop something, but you really want to get the greatest thing out and developed, I'd say balancing that act of balancing the scheduled deliverables, but also the pushing the new state of the art technologies they want to get out the door really helps drive what we do here as a business and what I do in my own life. So , solving the complex challenges and understanding how we fit what was effectively, I guess the size of a piece of paper, in terms of a schematic or like a design, or like, a hardware solution down into that of a business card I would say is really one of my proudest moments from an engineering standpoint. And it was a really hard problem to solve too, but ultimately did it, and that was great.” In the moment, challenges can feel relentless, but they empower you to transform. Each obstacle you conquer builds new skills, strengthens resilience, and pushes you to look beyond what you thought was impossible. Looking back, you will realize that those moments were steps to shape who you are today. Understanding the Problem Rather than Jumping into a Solution While Brent excels in building innovative solutions, his success comes from a fundamental principle — understanding the problem before jumping into a solution. This mindset has guided him throughout his engineering journey, shaping the way he tackles challenges and drives progress. “The first piece of advice that I got as an engineer when I first started working was: to always understand the problem, rather than jumping into the solution . The idea behind that is that, while we love solving complex problems, we always want to say ‘All right, let's just start trying things now.’ It always helps to take a step back and understand what the problems are, so you can take a methodical approach to solving those problems. If you already start down a path that you find might not be the right path you might get off into the right or otherwise turn left when you were supposed to turn right for that example, right? So if we kind of take a step back and understand the problem at a higher level, you can start choosing which path to take first and then when you know that you're going down that wrong path, you can always backtrack and move a different way. In the same vein, I'd say, when you’re down that path and you realize that that was the wrong path, always ensure that you're learning from that mistake and moving in a different direction. So that's to say, failure is an option. Learn from your failure and always move forward from that.” Failure is not the end; it is a part of the journey. When you shift your perspective and see failure as progress rather than a setback, it becomes a powerful force that drives you toward greater success. Staying Motivated Through Failure We’ve all experienced failure — but the real challenge is how we push forward after facing it repeatedly. In engineering, setbacks are inevitable, but they are also steppingstones toward innovation and success. So, how do we stay motivated when things don’t go as planned? “If you are able to remain optimistic and realistic in your approach that definitely helps out in terms of being able to continue that progress and understand you know, at the end of the day, we're still marching towards the same goal over the same conclusion, so even if you veer off left or off right you can always course correct and get back in the path that you want to take anyway. And then don't let it discourage you when you do fail because you know, it's always a learning moment. There's always an opportunity to do something different. No one is going to say you did terribly, because at the end of the day we’re all one happy team that’s really trying to bring everyone together to do something as a group, rather than an individual.” Each attempt, each lesson, and each step forward brings you closer to success. By maintaining a forward-thinking mindset, you build resilience, refine your skills, and get to contribute to something great. Shaping Ideas into Reality Engineers are constantly designing and building incredible innovations, so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask Brent: What is the coolest thing you have ever built or designed? "The coolest thing I designed, actually was —so it was cool to me because I was a kid and not necessarily an adult, but I was able to design like a miniature robot car that was able to use motion sensors, proximity sensors and infrared light sensors, had motors for—it was a wheel—so had motors and whatnot, but it was a small robot car and I was able to program it so that it would follow lines as well as if it got too close to wall it would backtrack and go in a different direction. And it was cool to me because I think that's what kind of jump-started — my interest in solving complex problems. But also being a kid, it was like, oh, this is pretty cool. I think it's still in my parent's house in my room but yeah that fun. That was a good time. That was cool to me.” Looking back on past projects, whether it’s an early creation or recent innovation, is a powerful reminder of growth. Each project builds on the last, shaping new skills and expanding what’s possible. Engineers like you are constantly pushing boundaries and transforming ideas into reality. Recognizing the Imprint of Engineers Brent’s journey is one of persistence, collaboration, and leadership — qualities that define great engineers. As we celebrate his story, we also recognize and appreciate all engineers who push the boundaries of what’s possible and for that, we say thank you. Keep building, keep innovating, and keep moving forward. Feeling inspired? Explore career opportunities at Safran Federal Systems CAREERS

  • Safran Federal Systems Earns Prestigious 2025 USA TODAY and Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Top Workplaces Awards

    Safran Federal Systems is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award, along with recognition from the Rochester Top Workplaces program. Safran Federal Systems Earns Prestigious 2025 USA TODAY and Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Top Workplaces Awards Rochester, NY, April 10th, 2025 Safran Federal Systems is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award, along with recognition from the Rochester Top Workplaces program. These awards celebrate organizations that have built exceptional, people-first cultures. Winners are selected for their commitment to fostering workplace environments where employee listening and engagement are truly valued. USA TODAY recognized the national award winners both online and during the National Awards Summit in Las Vegas, while the Rochester honorees were celebrated at a local awards ceremony. “We are incredibly proud to be named one of the Top Workplaces in both the United States and Rochester by USA TODAY and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle,” said Hironori Sasaki, President and CEO of Safran Federal Systems. “While it’s been an honor to consistently receive this recognition in the Rochester community over the past several years, this national distinction is a powerful reflection of the dedication and excellence of our entire team. It speaks to the supportive, inclusive, and innovative culture we’ve built—where every individual is empowered to grow and succeed. This achievement is both a celebration of our people and a reaffirmation of our commitment to fostering a workplace defined by collaboration and excellence.” The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage , the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance. "Earning a Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture," said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. "This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market." Safran Federal Systems is a trusted DoD mission partner providing cross-cutting Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions from the lab to the field. We leverage our industry leadership in Timing, Navigation, Simulation and NAVWAR to offer a unique blend of cost-effective A-PNT solutions bred through innovation. Our expertise in open systems architecture enables rapid delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter across all domains Your Assured PNT Mission Partner, from the Lab to the Field. ™ Safran Federal Systems is a proxy-regulated Safran Defense & Space, Inc. company. For more information: www.safranfederalsystems.com Follow us on: @SafranFedSys Safran Federal Systems Safran Federal Systems Safran Federal Systems Press Contact: Rachael Smith rachael.smith@safranFS.com +1 (585) 747-6131 VIEW PDF

  • Orolia’s GNSS Simulators Now Support an Ultra-Low Latency of 5ms

    Orolia recently announced the launch of its Real-Time Performance capability that achieves an ultra-low latency of five milliseconds. The latest advancement from Skydel utilizes software-defined advantages to deliver limit-defying real-time performance. Orolia’s GNSS Simulators Now Support an Ultra-Low Latency of 5ms ROCHESTER, NY, June 17, 2021 Orolia recently announced the launch of its Real-Time Performance capability that achieves an ultra-low latency of five milliseconds. The feature will be standard on all Skydel-powered GNSS simulators. Skydel is the software-defined simulation engine that powers Orolia’s advanced GNSS simulators including its BroadSim (available via Orolia Defense & Security) and GSG product lines. “Skydel is known by users for its intuitive nature and ability to be quickly re-deployed for a variety of projects. Delivering Real-Time Performance with latency as low as five milliseconds further shows that Orolia is a market leader empowering our customers by exceeding their expectations,” said Orolia Defense & Security Director of Engineering Tim Erbes. Skydel’s software-defined architecture, offering unparalleled flexibility and adaptability, is designed to meet the most demanding GNSS simulation testing requirements in the automotive, military, space and other high-tech industries. Skydel also supports Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulations without sacrificing ultra-low latency and high-end performance. The user interface boasts a sophisticated dashboard, where the Real-Time Performance graphs are located. The tool enables users to grade the simulator’s performance, interpret data, diagnose inefficiencies, and optimize scenarios on the fly. In the video tutorial , Orolia demonstrates how the simulation engine processes data and how easy it is to read the graphs through its distinct visualization and precise indications. As the system reaches its limits, it remains stable and fully operational, preserving the integrity of the simulation. Erbes said the Real-Time Performance graphs not only instill confidence in the simulator but allow for better integration in the testbed. “For example, instead of just hoping their hardware-in-the-Loop configuration is working, users can view the real-time data and see that low latency is being maintained,” he added. “This feature provides enhanced visibility not only into the performance of the simulation but also into the reliability of the hardware-in-the-loop integration, resulting in a more robust solution. This is critical when generating complex environments with high dynamics, jamming, spoofing, repeating, and alternative PNT sensors.” About Orolia Orolia is the world leader in Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions that improve the reliability, performance and safety of critical, remote or high-risk operations, even in GPS/GNSS denied environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Orolia provides virtually fail-safe GNSS and PNT solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. www.Orolia.com About Orolia Defense & Security Orolia Defense & Security provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. www.OroliaDS.com Orolia Defense & Security operates as a proxy-regulated company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Orolia. Contact: Rachael Smith Orolia Defense & Security +1 614-736-3736 VIEW PDF

  • Skydel Wavefront Calibration Tech Brief

    Skydel has eliminated calibration inefficiencies by autonomously time, phase and power aligning the signals for you. Now you can focus on the more important tasks of testing, verifying, and validating your CRPA navigation system’s performance without calibration concerns. Home • PNT Library • Skydel Wavefront Calibration Tech Brief Skydel Wavefront Calibration Tech Brief DOWNLOAD PDF By Jaemin Powell DOWNLOAD PDF

  • Succeeding Together: Q&A With VP of Human Resources | SafranFederalSystems

    Succeeding Together: Q&A With VP of Human Resources As we celebrate Women’s Month, we take this opportunity to recognize the women who are paving the way for future generations— especially in fields where they have been underrepresented. In this special feature, we sit down with Holly Cicconi-Eggleston, Vice President of Human Resources, where she shares valuable advice on advocating for yourself in the workplace, how we can help cultivate the next generation of women, and what Women's Month means to her. Get ready to grab a pen and paper because this Q&A will leave you with great advice and a different perspective you don't want to miss out on! Women often juggle many responsibilities, both in the workplace and personally. What can companies do to better support women in their work-life balance? "I am not a parent, but I have many friends who are parents or single parents. I cannot imagine the challenges they face every day or the difficult decisions that must be made in balancing family and work. While not every woman is a parent, women who choose to be a parent do have additional responsibilities just strictly because of biology. I read a post on LinkedIn several years back that resonated with me. I cannot recall the author’s name, but the topic stuck. While we strive for work-life balance, and as companies try to offer work-life balance, it is still a challenge for many. The author talked about work-life integration instead of work-life balance. In this regard, it identified that all our needs are different. Parents may need to leave early to get kids off the bus or to take the kids to soccer practice. An employee who doesn’t have kids may have an exercise class that is only offered at noon. Another employee may want to take classes that are only offered in the morning. The point was that whether you are a parent or not, our lives and what we fill our days with vary, and the integration of work and personal is more meaningful than just working less hours within the week. While companies must comply with statutory requirements, I think that shifting the mindset to work-life integration will be beneficial to all employees, not just women." What advice would you give to women who are trying to advocate for themselves—whether it's for promotions, equal pay, or leadership roles? "First and foremost, do it! My experience has been that most women are less likely to do this. While there may be many reasons, it is important to advocate for yourself! While I say this, this is also something that I have had to work on throughout my career. Early in my career, I was hesitant at times for various reasons. I thought I’d be seen as aggressive, ungrateful, impatient – all things that I perceived but were not the reality. As I grew in my career and having experiences that helped to shape who I am, I realized that the only person who can control my destiny is … me. While it certainly helps to have managers to support you in your career, you have to put yourself out there and be your loudest cheerleader. Stay true to yourself, always. If you remain authentic, you will not have regrets." What qualities do you believe will define the next generation of women leaders, and how can we help cultivate them? "This is a great question. I’m not sure that there will be different qualities in the next generation, but I do think that each generation is more courageous . When I look back at what was considered the “norm” when I was in high school versus what I see in today’s youth, I see more openness, acceptance, and perhaps advocacy. It is refreshing to see the growth in each generation and my hope is that this continues in a positive direction. We are still experiencing “first’s” which conveys that while progress has been made, there is still work to do. For the next generation of women leaders, we need to collectively support the advancement of women in fields that have been predominantly held by men. We need to nurture girls at an early age who express interest in STEM, as an example. We need to normalize that different styles of leadership and perspective are not only ok, but encouraged. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what we want to do, the important consideration is to ensure we have mentors to help guide us in the path forward." What does National Women’s Month mean to you, and how do you hope it continues to evolve in the corporate world?   "National Women’s Month is a time to reflect on the past, understand where we are today, and see the road ahead of what still needs to be. My personal belief is that each of us needs to have mentors, and then, when in a position to do so, mentor others. I am fortunate to have had many great mentors in my career – both women and men and have worked diligently to make sure that I give back whenever I can. This helps us to succeed together. In corporate settings, it’s important to highlight accomplishments of the women who came before us – without them, we may not have succeeded. It’s also important to ensure that company practices are inclusive and evolve as the needs of the workforce evolve." Feeling inspired? Explore career opportunities at Safran Federal Systems CAREERS

  • Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications

    More space missions are taking place in Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). Newer, more advanced receivers are needed to have sufficient PNT capabilities. Doppler shifts experienced on these missions will be high, however, robust testing to ensure mission success is achievable... Home • PNT Library • Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications DOWNLOAD PDF By Joshua Prentice Since the very first space missions positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) have been crucial for spaceborne applications. Traditionally, space vehicle PNT has been achieved through various combinations of ground stations, optical navigation, onboard high-precision clocks, inertial measurement units, and other methods. Only recently, however, has existing global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) been added to that list. GNSS constellations were designed to provide PNT for Earth-borne applications taking place on the ground, sea, or in the atmosphere. As such, those GNSS waveforms are primarily aimed toward the Earth, but there is a small amount of spill-over of the main lobe beyond the silhouette of Earth and into space. Additionally, the side lobes of most GNSS waveforms are also broadcast into space beyond Earth. Because these signals are visible from orbit, they can conceivably be used for the PNT of space vehicles. In terms of spaceborne navigation from GNSS constellations, there are generally two main orbital regions of concern. Altitudes between Earth and the GNSS altitude, known as being under the “canopy”, and altitudes above the GNSS canopy as shown below in Figure 1. Figure 1: Below and Above the GNSS Canopy When orbiting the Earth underneath the GNSS canopy the receiver antenna must point “skyward” towards the GNSS constellations. This scenario is more closely related to traditional GNSS navigation, although satellites will rise and set more frequently. The full spectrum of these signals is available with the advantage of stronger signal strength compared to surface and low-atmospheric operations. In scenarios where the receiver vehicle is orbiting above the GNSS canopy, navigating based on GNSS constellations becomes much more difficult as the only available portions of the waveform are the main lobe spill-over and the side lobes. For simplification and to limit the scope of this tech brief, the primary area of concern will be space vehicles in geocentric orbits beneath the GNSS canopy. When navigating from GNSS signals Doppler shift is always present no matter how close to the GNSS canopy the receiver is. However, when the navigating receiver is traveling at velocities necessary to maintain a stable orbit, the Doppler shift is much greater. Figure 2: Doppler shift diagram The Doppler shift change in frequency can be expressed as (Parker, 2017): In equation (1) 𝑓₀ is the source carrier frequency, Δ𝑣 is the relative velocity of the space vehicles, and 𝑐₀ is the speed of light. This equation does not account for ionospheric and tropospheric effects encountered when GNSS signals pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. When considering equation (1) for multiple scenarios and orbital altitudes, the speed of light is a constant, and depending on the GNSS constellation being used so is the source carrier frequency. Thus, the biggest factor affecting Doppler shift is the relative velocity of the space vehicles. Because the satellites that make up GNSS constellations are held to very strict orbits with known orbital velocities and those orbits are maintained throughout the lifetime of the constellation, the determining factor of the relative velocity for any given mission is the orbital velocity of the receiver vehicle. It follows that the goal in computing a theoretical maximum Doppler shift a spaceborne receiver may encounter is to maximize the relative velocity between the receiver vehicle and the GNSS vehicle. A scenario that would accomplish this would be a receiver vehicle in very low earth orbit (VLEO) tracking GNSS signals. Spaceborne missions taking place in LEO are a unique case of GNSS PNT due to the high relative velocity compared to the GNSS constellation vehicles while still being beneath the GNSS canopy. The dynamics of such a scenario are some of the highest that a receiver may experience during typical PNT operations. As such, the Doppler search space of receivers deployed in LEO must be much wider than needed for ground, sea, and airborne missions. One example of a very low earth orbit mission (VLEO) is the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE). The GOCE mission required extremely precise orbit determination to carry out its scientific objective of mapping Earth’s gravity field to an accuracy of 1-2 cm. The GOCE space vehicle maintained an average orbital altitude of 255 km, placing the average orbital velocity around 8 ᵏᵐ⁄ₛ (European Space Agency, 2022). The GOCE mission tracked GPS signals to assist in orbit determination. GPS satellites orbit at an altitude of 20,200 km with an average orbital velocity of roughly 4 ᵏᵐ⁄ₛ (US Space Force, 2022). Figure 3: GOCE Missions in VLEO have much shorter durations than other spaceborne missions due to the need for constant orbital maintenance maneuvers to counteract the atmospheric drag, and as such, it can be considered the lower limit of possible orbital altitudes. To estimate a maximum possible Doppler shift the worst possible case scenario would be the receiver satellite travelling in exactly the opposite direction (±180°) of the GNSS vehicle. While this is generally a very rare situation some space vehicles do travel in non-standard orbits, so it is possible. Thus, the relative velocity of the space vehicles can be expressed as: Where: So that: Note that all velocities are expressed as linear for simplification. With an established relative velocity, the maximum estimated Doppler shift can be calculated using the following values: Calculating the Doppler shift using the equation (1) results in: With a worst-case-scenario Doppler shift of 63 kHz, it is imperative to ensure the receiver being placed into orbit can perform under such conditions. Skydel Simulation Engine of the BroadSim product line is capable of simulating spaceborne scenarios, even under conditions where Doppler shift is maximized. One of the default vehicle profiles within Skydel is an Earth-orbiting spacecraft with highly customizable Keplerian elements to define the exact orbit thereceiver vehicle will experience. Should the default spacecraft profile not provide enough customization, Skydel can also be interfaced through hardware in the loop (HIL) where exact positions are pushed to the simulator to simulate the specific trajectory of a receiver vehicle. Unlike some simulators where the Doppler shift will have to be either predetermined or manually added to the scenario, Skydel handles Doppler, ionospheric, and tropospheric effects automatically based on the scenario without requiring user input. Figure 4: Skydel Screenshot LEO and VLEO missions are becoming more and more popular especially in the fields of PNT, from both from a provider and user standpoint. To make sure those missions will have sufficient PNT capabilities advanced receivers will need to be used and new receivers will be developed to fill specific roles and advance current capabilities. While the Doppler shifts experienced by receivers on these missions will be high, robust testing to ensure mission success is capable using BroadSim simulation products powered by Skydel. Commonly Asked Questions About Doppler Effects Why are GNSS signals now being used for space navigation? Historically, space vehicles relied on methods like ground stations, inertial sensors, and onboard clocks for navigation. GNSS was originally designed for Earth-based applications, but signal spillover (main lobe and side lobes) into space now allows satellites to use GNSS for autonomous navigation. Why is this topic important? Reliable, autonomous PNT in space is critical for military satellites, ISR platforms, and scientific missions, especially when access to ground-based navigation aids is unavailable or denied. What causes Doppler shift in spaceborne GNSS reception? The Doppler shift arises from the relative velocity between the receiver spacecraft and the GNSS satellite. The faster the receiver moves in orbit, the more pronounced the frequency shift in received GNSS signals. References European Space Agency. (2022). GOCE Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/GOCE/Facts_and_figures Parker, M. (2017). Digital Signal Processing 101. Elsevier Inc. US Space Force. (2022). GPS: The Global Positioning System. Retrieved from https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/space/#orbits DOWNLOAD PDF

  • Safran Federal Systems Unveils Blacknaute™, A Next-Generation Inertial Navigation System for GPS-Denied Environments, at AUSA 2025

    Safran Federal Systems today announced the U.S. launch of the Blacknaute™ Inertial Navigation System, a next-generation solution engineered to deliver precision navigation in GPS-denied and Electronic Warfare-contested environments, at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition. Safran Federal Systems Unveils Blacknaute™, A Next-Generation Inertial Navigation System for GPS-Denied Environments, at AUSA 2025 Washington, D.C., October 14th, 2025 Safran Federal Systems today announced the U.S. launch of the Blacknaute™ Inertial Navigation System, a next-generation solution engineered to deliver precision navigation in GPS-denied and Electronic Warfare-contested environments, at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition. Purpose-built for the U.S. DoD community, Blacknaute™ is powered by Safran’s patented HRG Dual Core™ technology, which is field-proven and trusted across mission-critical applications worldwide. The system is designed to support current platforms and other emerging DoD platforms requiring resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). “Blacknaute™ represents a leap forward in GPS-denied inertial navigation,” said Jon Leombrone, Executive Vice President of Navigation Systems at Safran Federal Systems. “With high performance capabilities, modular architecture, and an open-systems design, Blacknaute™ is built to meet the evolving demands of next-generation defense platforms.” Key Features: Precision Inertial Performance: Achieves better than 0.4 nmi/hour drift, enabling sustained accuracy in GPS-contested or denied environments. HRG Dual Core™ Technology: Patented hemispherical resonator gyro platform with decades of proven military and space-grade performance. M-Code Ready GNSS Receiver: Integrated multi-constellation receiver with M-Code support for secure military satellite navigation. Ultra-Stable Atomic Clock: Delivers precise timing with drift of less than 1 second per 30,000 years, enhancing system integrity and synchronization. EW-Resilient with IDM Technology: Proprietary Interference Detection and Mitigation (IDM) supports jamming/spoofing resistance and threat awareness. SWaP-Optimized for Tactical Platforms: Lightweight (<16 lbs.), modular, and ruggedized for fixed-wing, rotary, and autonomous systems. Standards-Based Integration: MIL-STD interfaces and TSO-C220 compliance; fully aligned with open mission systems architecture. Trusted by the Defense Community Safran Federal Systems delivers advanced navigation and PNT solutions as part of Safran Defense and Space, Inc.’s expanding portfolio supporting U.S. defense and government operations. The Blacknaute™ system enhances DSI’s suite of classified PNT, geospatial intelligence, and space capabilities. Backed by over 50 years of expertise across air, land, sea, and space, Safran brings proven inertial navigation technologies to meet the demands of tomorrow’s operational environments. Visit Us at AUSA 2025 Safran Federal Systems will showcase Blacknaute™ at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition , Booth 3425, co-located with Safran DSI . Attendees are invited to explore interactive product demos and speak directly with engineers and solution architects. For more details, visit: safranfederalsystems.com/blacknaute Safran Federal Systems is a trusted DoD mission partner and industry leader in Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT), providing cross-cutting and cost-effective solutions bred through innovation. Our expertise in simulation, NAVWAR, and open systems architecture enables rapid delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter across all domains, from the lab to the field. For more information: www.safranfederalsystems.com Safran Defense & Space, Inc. is a leading provider of cutting-edge solutions designed to address the evolving challenges of U.S. national defense and advanced space missions across air, land, sea, and space domains. Safran DSI is a U.S. subsidiary of Safran, an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment, and interiors), defense and space markets. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of $28.8 billion in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. For more information: https://www.safran-dsi.com/ Follow us on: @SafranFedSys Safran Federal Systems Safran Federal Systems Safran Federal Systems Press Contact: Rachael Smith rachael.smith@safranFS.com +1 (585) 747-6131 Charles Jones Communications & PR Safran Defense & Space, Inc charles.jones@safran-dsi.com +1 (603) 289-3743 VIEW PDF

  • Request a Quote | Safran Federal Systems

    Safran takes pride in helping you make your purchasing decision quicker and easier. Fill out our form and we will get in touch with you as quickly as we can. Speak to Sales We're here to help - no commitment required. Whether you're exploring options or moving forward, our team is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps. Complete the form below, and a member of our sales team will be in touch shortly. For product support inquiries, submit a support ticket here . First Name* Last Name* Business Email* Phone Position* Company* Country* Choose one Area of Interest* Choose one Select an Area of Interest or choose 'Don't Know'. How did you hear about us?* Choose one Add a message To better assist you, please provide details about your application, end-user, specific requirements, or any questions you may have. SUBMIT

  • Engineering Her Future: Women in Science | SafranFederalSystems

    Engineering Her Future: Women in Science A powerful reminder that success is about daring to embrace your passions, navigate obstacles, and carve a unique way forward. We spotlight the encouraging journey of Kristina Naumovska, a mechanical engineer at Safran Federal Systems. As we celebrate National Women and Girls in Science Day on February 11th, Kristina’s path is one to inspire women and girls who dream of making a mark in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) world. A Career Meant For Her Kristina’s journey to becoming a mechanical engineer was not a straightforward one but it serves as a testament to the fact that life often takes un in unexpected directions. In our conversation with her, we learned that her early struggles did not deter her from pursuing a career in STEM but instead drove her to explore a different route. "I originally wanted to pursue a career in dentistry, but I struggled with biology. However, I enjoyed my other science courses and was especially good at math. My mom was a mechanical engineer as well, so I figured it might be in my blood. I decided to give that a shot instead, I’m happy I did!" Looking at things differently, Kristina didn’t let her struggle discourage her from going after what was a possibility to create a rewarding career path for herself. Those stepping stones allowed her to discover her true calling. Overcoming Obstacles As a young woman in a male-dominated field, Kristina struggled with raising questions when confused. Through the great surroundings of amazing people who lifted her up and advocated for her voice to be heard, she realized how her fear held her back. "Going through college and my first internship, I would struggle speaking up when I was confused or had questions to avoid looking unintelligent. I realized quickly that this mindset wouldn’t get me far, and that I’m not expected to know everything. I’m thankful I had great professors, coworkers and leaders that made it clear that no question is a silly one." Kristina’s experience speaks to a broader issue many women face in STEM: to silence oneself out of fear of judgment. Yet, she emphasizes that asking questions to seek clarity is essential for success. It helps contribute to the advancement of both you and the team. A Look Towards the Future Looking toward the future of STEM, she is excited about the connection of artificial intelligence (AI) and product design. “This breakthrough can aid engineers in generating designs in CAD and minimize error.” Her enthusiasm for AI reflects the excitement many in the field feel about the continuous reshaping of the future of science and engineering. Women in STEM have the opportunity to be at the forefront of these developments, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Inspiring Future Generations Kristina’s story is not just about her personal success—it’s about paving the way for future generations of women in science. As more women join the world of STEM professionals, they not only break down the barriers for themselves but also inspire young girls to pursue their passions in the field. Are you up for the challenge? The world of science is waiting for you to make your mark! Feeling inspired? Explore career opportunities at Safran Federal Systems CAREERS

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