(U) 3A Airborne Receiver

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Rockwell Collins 3A receiver is one of the primary receivers on-board DoD aircraft used for navigation.

Description: (U)
(U)  Most of the current DoD aircraft are scheduled for integration with GPS JPO-procured 3A and MAGR.  These receivers are fully mil-qualified and have undergone extensive developmental and qualification testing. 

(U)  Although the 3A receiver was developed in 1985, it continues to perform well in the field;  the 3A receiver has only received a modest upgrade and is considered to be "older technology." It has five channels to receive and process 5 distinct GPS satellite signals and operates with GPS precision code (P-code) on both GPS L1 and L2 frequencies.  The three primary functional shortcomings of the 3A receiver are that:  
(U)  1) it is not field reprogrammable (in other words it must be returned to a depot for upgrade),
(U)  2) it does not implement an enhanced anti-spoofing function (recognition and avoidance of deception - intentional or unintentional signal interference)
(U)  3) it is large, heavy and contains many outdated/obsolete components. 

(U)  The depot at Warner Robins-Air Logistics Command (ALC) provides sustainment support for the 3A receivers, and will continue in that role for the foreseeable future.

User Impact: (U)
(U)  The GPS 3A receiver is the first GPS DoD receiver widely used in aircraft.  It provides highly accurate, all weather navigation and timing information to the aircraft allowing more precise flight patterns, rendezvous, and weapons delivery.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force: Funding Source.
		
(U) PE35164F

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Embedded GPS Inertial Nav. Sys., GPS Block IIA, GPS Block IIF, GPS Block IIR, GPS Receiver Applications Module, Miniaturized Airborne GPS Rec.

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Receivers

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) NAVIGATION.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
17 May 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)