MAPS GEN II Explained: Advanced Anti-Jamming and Anti-Spoofing PNT for the U.S. Army

The U.S. Army has long recognized the critical importance of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in modern warfare. Accurate PNT data ensures that soldiers can move, communicate, and engage targets effectively, even in contested environments. The Mounted Assured PNT System (MAPS) GEN II represents the latest leap forward in this domain, designed to provide resilient and secure PNT capabilities for combat vehicles operating in the most challenging conditions.

Mounted Assured PNT System (MAPS) GEN II. Photo: army.mil by Shawn Nesaw

MAPS GEN II is not just an incremental upgrade but a transformational system that addresses the vulnerabilities of traditional GPS-based navigation. In an era where adversaries are increasingly capable of disrupting or denying GPS signals, the Army requires a solution that can withstand jamming, spoofing, and other electronic warfare threats. By integrating advanced encryption, sensor fusion, and modular design, MAPS GEN II ensures that U.S. forces maintain a decisive edge on the battlefield.

The Strategic Purpose of MAPS GEN II

The primary mission of MAPS GEN II is to deliver accurate and resilient PNT data to Army vehicles, even when GPS signals are degraded or denied. This capability is essential in modern conflicts where adversaries actively target satellite-based navigation systems. By ensuring uninterrupted access to trusted PNT, MAPS GEN II enables soldiers to maneuver, coordinate, and strike with confidence.

The program also supports the Army’s broader Transformation in Contact (TIC) 2.0 initiative. TIC 2.0 emphasizes accelerating the delivery of advanced equipment to operational units, ensuring that soldiers are equipped with cutting-edge technology before they face adversaries in combat. MAPS GEN II is a cornerstone of this effort, bridging the gap between current vulnerabilities and future operational dominance.

GEN I vs GEN II: A Clear Evolution

The first generation of MAPS provided a foundation for assured PNT, but it had limitations in terms of security and resilience. GEN II addresses these gaps with a focus on enhanced GPS protection and integration of alternative technologies. This evolution reflects lessons learned from field operations and the growing sophistication of electronic warfare threats.

One of the most significant improvements in GEN II is the adoption of M-Code encryption. This advanced military GPS signal provides stronger security, greater resistance to jamming, and improved integrity compared to legacy signals. By leveraging M-Code, MAPS GEN II ensures that adversaries cannot easily disrupt or manipulate GPS data.

Another key enhancement is sensor fusion, which combines inputs from multiple sensors to maintain accurate navigation even when GPS is unavailable. This includes inertial navigation systems, odometers, and other onboard sensors that provide redundancy and resilience. The result is a system that can continue to function reliably in environments where GPS alone would fail.

Advanced Antennas and Anti-Jamming Capabilities

MAPS GEN II introduces a new generation of external antennas designed to counter both jamming and spoofing. These antennas are engineered to filter out malicious signals while preserving access to authentic GPS data. This capability is critical in contested environments where adversaries attempt to overwhelm receivers with false or disruptive transmissions.

Unlike simple jamming, spoofing poses a more insidious threat because it delivers false signals that appear valid. Soldiers relying on spoofed data could unknowingly be misled into dangerous positions. MAPS GEN II is specifically designed to detect and reject spoofing attempts, ensuring that crews are alerted and can continue operating with trusted navigation data.

The system’s ability to withstand these threats not only protects individual vehicles but also preserves the integrity of larger formations. Commanders can trust that their units are where they are supposed to be, enabling synchronized maneuvers and coordinated fires. This resilience directly translates into battlefield effectiveness and survivability.

Design and Integration for Modern Combat Vehicles

One of the strengths of MAPS GEN II is its thoughtful design, which balances performance with practical considerations. The system is built with strict attention to size, weight, and power requirements, ensuring it can be integrated into a wide range of combat vehicles without overburdening them. This makes it suitable for platforms ranging from Strykers to Abrams tanks and beyond.

MAPS GEN II also employs an open architecture, making it modular, scalable, and adaptable to future needs. This design philosophy allows the Army to integrate new sensors, software updates, and complementary technologies as they become available. Instead of being locked into a rigid system, commanders benefit from a flexible platform that evolves with the threat environment.

Integration with Command and Control (C2) systems is another critical advantage. Modern C2 and Next Generation C2 (NGC2) rely heavily on precise timing and location data to synchronize communications, fires, and maneuver. By providing assured PNT, MAPS GEN II acts as an enabler for these systems, ensuring that the Army’s digital backbone remains strong even under electronic attack.

Training Soldiers for Success

Technology alone cannot guarantee success; soldiers must be trained to operate and maintain MAPS GEN II effectively. To this end, the Army provides New Equipment Training (NET) to ensure that crews understand the system’s architecture, operational procedures, and troubleshooting techniques. This training builds confidence and competence, enabling soldiers to maximize the system’s potential.

NET also emphasizes integration with other platforms and systems. Soldiers learn how MAPS GEN II interacts with radios, networks, and fire control systems, ensuring seamless interoperability across the force. This holistic approach prepares units to operate in complex, multi-domain environments where every system must work in concert.

A real-world example of this training’s effectiveness comes from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. During exercises, the brigade successfully tested MAPS GEN II against simulated GPS jamming scenarios. The system not only maintained functionality but also provided soldiers with alerts that enhanced their situational awareness, demonstrating its value in contested conditions.

Countering the Threat of Jamming and Spoofing

Electronic warfare has become a defining feature of modern conflict, and adversaries are investing heavily in capabilities to disrupt U.S. forces. Jamming, which floods receivers with noise to block GPS signals, is relatively easy to detect but can still degrade operations. Spoofing, by contrast, is more dangerous because it delivers false signals that appear authentic.

MAPS GEN II is designed to counter both threats with advanced detection and mitigation techniques. When jamming occurs, the system can identify the interference and continue operating using alternative sensors. When spoofing is attempted, MAPS GEN II rejects the false signals and alerts soldiers, ensuring they are not misled.

These protective measures are not just technical features but operational necessities. In a battlefield where adversaries seek to deny U.S. forces freedom of maneuver, assured PNT is a prerequisite for mission success. MAPS GEN II provides that assurance, giving soldiers the confidence to operate in the face of electronic attack.

Future Expansion and Fielding Plans

The successful deployment of MAPS GEN II with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team marks only the beginning. The Army plans to expand the program to additional units, particularly those designated as Transformation in Contact (TIC) units. These formations are prioritized for modernization to ensure they can fight and win in contested environments.

Fielding MAPS GEN II is not just about equipping vehicles with new hardware. It represents an investment in readiness, combat capability, and long-term overmatch against potential adversaries. By ensuring that soldiers have access to assured PNT, the Army strengthens its ability to project power and maintain dominance across domains.

As the system is fielded more widely, lessons learned from operational units will inform further refinements. This iterative approach ensures that MAPS GEN II continues to evolve in response to emerging threats and operational requirements. The result is a living capability that grows stronger over time.

MAPS GEN II represents a major leap forward in the Army’s ability to secure Positioning, Navigation, and Timing in contested environments. With its advanced encryption, sensor fusion, anti-jamming, and anti-spoofing capabilities, the system ensures that soldiers can move, shoot, and communicate effectively even under electronic attack. Its modular design and integration with C2 systems make it a critical enabler for modern and future operations.

The success of MAPS GEN II depends not only on its technology but also on the training and confidence of the soldiers who operate it. Through comprehensive instruction and real-world exercises, the Army is preparing its forces to maximize the system’s potential. As fielding expands, MAPS GEN II will play a central role in maintaining U.S. overmatch and ensuring victory in the complex battlespaces of tomorrow.