PNI Sensor, a leader in precise position and navigation technologies, today announced it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by AFWERX, the innovation directorate of the U.S. Department of the Air Force.
The contract supports development of an Enhanced Pilot Locator Beacon (PLB) designed to securely transmit a downed pilot’s precise, encrypted location to Air Force search and rescue (SAR) teams in electronic warfare (EW), contested and GPS-denied environments. As modern air operations increasingly face GPS jamming and spoofing threats, resilient Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT) solutions are critical to keeping aircrew safe and recoverable.
Delivering Assured Positioning in GPS-Denied Airspace
The Enhanced PLB builds upon PNI Sensor’s FORT (Field Ops Remote Tracker), a compact A-PNT system capable of tracking personnel with 10-meter accuracy in fully GPS-denied environments. Using LoRa radio communications, the beacon provides encrypted pilot location and status updates to SAR receivers, helping ensure operational connectivity in the most challenging EW conditions.
By leveraging its proven IoT product development expertise and LoRa network experience, PNI Sensor aims to reduce technical and production risk while accelerating transition from prototype to field-ready systems for mission-critical defense operations.
“Our mission has always been to provide trusted, precise navigation when GPS isn’t available,” said Becky Oh, CEO of PNI Sensor. “This AFWERX partnership demonstrates how our proven commercial sensing technologies can enhance mission safety and operational resilience for U.S. Air Force personnel operating in GPS-contested environments.”
Over the Phase II period, PNI Sensor will refine the Enhanced PLB design, integrate it with Air Force SAR workflows, and evaluate performance in relevant operational scenarios to inform future deployment and potential scaling.
About PNI Sensor
Founded in 2018, PNI Sensor develops advanced positioning and navigation technologies that deliver ultra-precise data through proprietary sensors, algorithms, machine learning, and Edge AI. Headquartered in Windsor, California, PNI’s products enable reliable navigation and control in complex, real-world environments across defense, industrial, and commercial markets.
Learn more at www.pnisensor.com.
About AFWERX
AFWERX, powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is the innovation program of the Department of the Air Force. AFWERX accelerates technology adoption by connecting small businesses, startups, and research institutions with Airmen and Guardians to solve critical national security challenges.
Visit www.afwerx.com for more information.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this release are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
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Company Name: PNI Sensor
Contact Person: Will Kelly
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Country: United States
Website: https://www.pnisensor.com
