The work covers the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, or JPALS, which guides aircraft onto carriers in all conditions. M-Code is the U.S. military’s encrypted GPS signal, designed to strengthen security and anti-jamming performance.
Supporting the transition to M-Code
BAE Systems supplies the existing JPALS GPS solution, which uses Selective Availability Anti Spoofing Module receivers. DIGAR-500M will support both SAASM and M-Code operations, allowing the landing system to accommodate mixed-aircraft configurations.
“This award marks a significant milestone in the continued modernization of JPALS, a mission‑critical capability enabling safe, precision aircraft recoveries aboard Navy carriers in all weather and environments,” said Molly O’Brien, BAE Systems’ program manager for Airborne GPS. “Integrating M‑Code strengthens JPALS against evolving threats and ensures our warfighters maintain a decisive operational advantage.”
The company will draw on its existing DIGAR product line for the upgrade. Alongside the move to M-Code, the receiver is intended to strengthen resistance to jamming and spoofing.
Beamforming and platform integration
DIGAR uses digital beamforming to protect positioning, navigation and timing functions across airborne and maritime platforms. The family supports up to 24 simultaneously steered beams and protection of both GPS L1 and L2 frequencies, according to BAE Systems’ datasheet. 20-C96-02-DIGAR-datasheet-Fulle…
The product family supports Y-Code and M-Code anti-jamming and offers embedded GPS receiver options. It is compatible with four- to seven-element controlled reception pattern antenna arrays.
Listed interfaces include protected radio-frequency outputs, digital multi-beam outputs and RS-422 connections for control, status and instrumentation. Direction finding provides an additional situational awareness function.
BAE Systems says the technology has been tested on fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, uncrewed aircraft and naval vessels. Its antenna electronics draw on anti-jamming weapons technology used in systems including the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Massive Ordnance Penetrator and Excalibur. 20-C96-02-DIGAR-datasheet-Fulle…
Product options and future capabilities
The wider portfolio includes DIGAR-300M and DIGAR-400M configurations with integrated M-Code GPS receivers. DIGAR-GUARDIAN provides an all-weather enclosure with an optional receiver.
The datasheet identifies jammer characterization and geolocation, relative navigation and future multi-constellation compatibility as areas for growth. These capabilities would extend the family’s role beyond protecting GPS reception to supporting additional navigation and situational awareness functions. 20-C96-02-DIGAR-datasheet-Fulle…
BAE Systems’ broader military GPS range serves aircraft, precision munitions, handheld receivers and embedded applications. Engineering and manufacturing work on those products is performed at its Cedar Rapids, Iowa, facility.
