The Pentagon wants ultra-precise clocks that could help troops fight without GPS
GPS can be jammed. DARPA is making clocks that could keep military systems running without it and eventually enable completely new capabilities.
The Pentagon is investing in ultra-precise clocks that could provide essential backup navigation for troops, even when GPS signals are jammed or spoofed. GPS relies on precise timing to determine location, but its weak satellite signals can be interfered with and manipulated by adversaries. DARPA, the Pentagon's research arm, has been developing ultra-precise clocks through its ROCkN program.
These clocks can maintain GPS-quality time for weeks, compared to only hours with current technology. The next phase, called "It's About Time," aims to make these clocks practical for military use and assess their scalability for integration into existing systems. DARPA's clocks could offer a thousand to 100,000 times better timing than GPS, potentially enabling new military capabilities and reducing vulnerability to cyberattacks and electromagnetic interference.
Overcoming size, weight, power, and cost constraints is crucial for practical implementation. If successful, these clocks could provide a strategic advantage by enabling more precise synchronization of sensor data and faster battlefield situational awareness.
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