The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency reached out to industry to gauge the maturity of technology for GPS-free precision navigation and homing, according to a notice. “Current state of the GPS-free precision navigation technology still suffers from multiple shortcomings,” reads the agency’s Sept. 4 request for information. These include navigation errors over time, high lifecycle costs compared to GPS systems, and size, weight, and power incompatibility with small military platforms. To overcome these limitations, DARPA said it’s contemplating the development of “cross-modality, external-feature-based navigation as sensor inputs to guidance and control systems,” such as electro-optic/infrared and radio frequency imaging or guidance by EO/IR and/or RF signals. The agency listed desirable attributes for a notional GPS-free system, such as navigation and homing precision at least as good as GPS provides, the ability to operate over denied areas, and suitability for use on diverse airborne platforms. DARPA asked for feedback by Sept. 30.
The U.S. conducted a drone strike in Iraq on Dec. 3, as the American troops there continue to be targeted by Iranian-backed militants. The strike took place near Kirkuk as the militants were preparing to attack U.S. troops in northern Iraq, a U.S. official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.…