The US Army has awarded an $11 million contract to Tern, an Austin-based startup developing an alternative to traditional GPS technology. The deal, announced on September 10, aims to enhance navigation capabilities for military operations by leveraging Tern’s innovative positioning system, which operates independently of satellite signals, according to techcrunch.com.
Tern’s technology uses a network of ground-based transmitters to provide precise location data, addressing vulnerabilities associated with GPS reliance on satellites. The Army’s investment follows successful trials demonstrating Tern’s system resilience in GPS-denied environments. The startup’s CEO highlighted the contract as a milestone that validates their approach to secure and reliable positioning solutions for defense applications, techcrunch.com reported.
This contract underscores growing interest in alternatives to GPS amid concerns over satellite signal jamming and spoofing. The defense sector has increasingly sought diversified navigation technologies to ensure operational continuity. Comparable investments in similar startups reflect a broader trend toward resilient positioning systems, with Tern positioned as a key player in this emerging market, according to techcrunch.com.
Tern will use the $11 million funding to expand its infrastructure and accelerate deployment of its GPS alternative system for military use. The contract marks a significant step in the startup’s growth trajectory and the US Army’s efforts to modernize navigation capabilities in contested environments, techcrunch.com stated.