GDMS Achieves 1st Hypersonic Flight Demo of GPS-Denied Software Defined Receiver Navigation

October 07, 2026

General Dynamics Mission Systems partnered with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) to complete a successful hypersonic flight demonstration of its GPS-denied, software-defined receiver, Multiple Orbit Navigation (MO-Nav).

MO-Nav is a compact, single-board circuit card assembly capable of GPS-denied radio frequency navigation using multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems, signals of opportunity and commercially provided position, navigation and timing signals. The successful demonstration of MO-Nav on the reusable Talon-A hypersonic test aircraft — which can travel and maneuver at speeds of Mach 5 or higher — advances the technology readiness of a key GPS-denied navigation component for hypersonics and precision-guided munition programs.

“GPS-denied technology is arguably one of the largest capability gaps across joint forces,” said Matt Elliott, General Dynamics Mission Systems director for the Weapons and Navigation business segment. “Programs face growing pressure to incorporate alternatives to GPS and extend mission availability. General Dynamics Mission Systems is bringing software-defined receiver technology to the fight, allowing programs to continuously outpace the threat with software upgrades instead of requiring new hardware insertions.”

MO-Nav was previously demonstrated in a cannon-fired artillery application, successfully surviving extreme launch loads and providing critical signal measurements to the munition mission computer. MO-Nav is available for integration today. General Dynamics continues to expand its software-defined receiver portfolio with the Multiple Orbit Highly Assured Weapons Kit (MOHAWK).

General Dynamics Mission Systems continues to invest in MOHAWK, building upon the MO-Nav architecture to offer increased spectral diversity, expanded constellation diversity and scalable anti-jam protection. MOHAWK is also designed to support an optional integrated M-Code receiver capability, as well as federated external M-Code GPS receiver support with anti-jam and anti-spoof protected radio frequency output.

General Dynamics and DEVCOM AvMC are co-investing to demonstrate MOHAWK with integrated M-Code capability in a 2027 hypersonics demonstration, followed by additional MOHAWK demonstrations in precision-guided munition platforms in 2028.

Source : General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS)