Is This A DAGR I See Before Me?
Sep 18, 2011 15:46 EDT
(DAGR is on the right)
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Saudi joint venture; Production update; 2011 order. (Sept 16/11)
Out in the field, one of the most important questions is also one of the simplest: where am I? Map-reading and orienteering remain critical soldiering skills, but the explosive growth of the GPS receiver market offers modern-day soldiers – and their opponents – new options. GPS has a military channel as well, of course, offering greater precision. These military-grade GPS receivers are becoming common among American units and their allies, often operating alongside civilian units from firms like Garmin that can include in-country roadmaps for front-line zones. Then again, you probably wouldn’t want to offer nearby airstrike coordinates based on a civilian unit if there was any choice in the matter.
Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) will serve as a smaller, lighter, replacement for the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR). Their electronics can be integrated into tanks, UAV drones, et. al., or serve as standalone handheld systems for both advanced and basic military GPS users. Authorized Department of Defense (DoD) and foreign military sales (FMS) customers receive a hand-held Precise Positioning System (PPS) with a dual-frequency (L1/L2) receiver that weighs less than a pound, and incorporates the next generation, tamper-resistant GPS “SAASM” (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) anti-jamming and security module….
- The Defense Advanced GPS Receiver
- DAGR: Contracts & Key Events [updated]
- Additional Readings & Sources [updated]
The Defense Advanced GPS Receiver
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The DAGR system provides a Precise Positioning System, using a hand-held, dual-frequency, lightweight receiver of less than one pound that incorporates the next generation, tamper-resistant Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) “SAASM” (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) security module. In the field, DAGR supplements the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) and is interoperable with PLGR integrated platforms (adapters permissible). It is anticipated to have a 10-year service life, and will eventually replace PLGR.
DAGR provides real-time position, velocity, navigation, and timing (PVNT) information in a standalone receiver. Ground personnel, indirect fire weapon systems like artillery and mortars, and armored vehicles can all use them. The DAGR can also be used as a secondary or supplemental aid to air missions in slower aircraft like helicopters; and as an aid to navigation in water-borne operations such as for combat swimmers, submarines, and watercraft. Fielding began with the 2nd Brigade of the USA’s 82nd Airborne Infantry Division on December 2004.
DAGR was designed to be an easy to use, highly reliable, device that requires minimal training. They are maintained by the developer, with field service designed to be limited to battery change out and self-test. The procurement program took advantage of the availability of a broad industry product line of hand-held GPS receivers, and the results of GPS program sponsored Program Research & Development Announcement (PRDA) contracts for advanced security devices. The program also had to maximize flexibility in ordering of products, to accommodate a broad customer base with diverse funding and ordering requirements.
The result is that DoD, Federal Civilian agencies (approximately 10) and Allied countries (approximately 31) can order and receive identical products at DoD quantity pricing, with value added functionality, performance, and a range of compatible accessories funded by the overall size of the program (see planned upgrade schedule).
Beyond the DAGR device itself, its “guts” have also shown up in a number of platforms. A US Air Force release on Nov 16/06 hailed delivery of the 10,000th “Ground Based GPS Receiver Applications Module” unit:
“GB-GRAM is a lightweight, low-cost, standardized, embeddable GPS receiver designed to use GPS system capabilities that are exclusive to military users. GB-GRAM is embedded into over 50 ground-based platforms across the Department of Defense, from the Army’s M1A2 main battle tank to the lightweight handheld mortar ballistic computer plus a growing number of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the U.S. Army Raven…. Since the inception of this $30M+ contract which was awarded to Rockwell Collins June 30, 2003, GB-GRAM has rapidly become the standard-embeddable military “GPS engine of choice” procured by all branches of the U.S. military and seven foreign militaries.”
Countries known to have ordered the DAGR include: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Kuwait, Portugal, Spain, UK and the USA.
Unless otherwise specified, all contracts are issued by the Headquarters Global Positioning Systems Wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA.
Sept 15/11: Rockwell Collins, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $46.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for 20,322 DAGRs and assorted accessories (FA8807-09-C-0002).
Oct 6/10: Rockwell Collins announces that they have recently completed Ground-Based GPS Receiver Application Module-Military-code (GB-GRAM-M) receiver formal qualification testing, and also successfully acquired and maintained track of the M-code signal being broadcast from the first GPS Block IIF series satellite in orbit. During testing, the receiver was commanded to perform several direct acquisitions of the M-code signal and commanded to track M-code on L1 and L2 frequencies. The firm also delivered receiver cards to support Air Force GPS Wing developmental testing. From their release, there’s also a production update:
“Rockwell Collins has delivered nearly 400,000 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) and more than 85,000 GB-GRAM Miniature PLGR Engine – SAASM devices to warfighters in the field.”
Feb 2/10: Rockwell Collins and Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) anounce a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to co-develop and market products and solutions to customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region. In addition, AEC will become an authorized repair, overhaul and support service provider. Rockwell Collins:
“Examples of products and solutions to be offered to military customers as part of the strategic alliance include avionics, communications and navigation systems for fighter aircraft, integrated cockpit systems for mobility and rotary wing aircraft and handheld local language Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for soldiers.”
Aug 3/09: Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, ID received a $20.2 million contract modification to provide 81,622 DAGR hand-held GPS receivers and accessories to the US Air Force GPS Wing (GPSW/PK) in El Segundo, CA.
This contract modification is part of a $450 million DAGR follow-on contract (FA8807-09-C-0002) announced March 18/09 by Rockwell Collins. The company received its first order from the USAF under a contract issued that same month: 53,920 DAGR receivers and accessories for $87.5 million.
April 30/09: Rockwell Collins announces delivery of the 300,000th Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receiver (DAGR), at a recognition event in their Coralville facility.
March 18/09: Rockwell Collins announces a $450 million follow-on contract to provide DAGRs to the U.S. Air Force GPS Wing, which will provide DAGR receivers through 2016.
To date, Rockwell Collins says that it has has delivered more than 290,000 DAGR units and more than 1.5 million accessories since the company was selected by the Air Force for full-rate production in 2003. The company adds that this latest award brings the total value of the DAGR contracts to $1.15 billion.
Sept 12/08: The US Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Rockwell Collins Government Systems of Cedar Rapids, IA for $67.5 million. This contract modification exercises production options for 29,587 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) and accessories, for the US military and for Foreign Military Sales.
These systems will incorporate the next generation, tamper-resistant GPS “SAASM” (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) Security module. At this time all funds have been committed (F04701-02-C-0011/ P00063).
April 11/08: Rockwell Collins, Inc. Government Systems of Cedar Rapids, IA received a modified firm fixed price contract for $21.8 million, in exchange for 9,746 DAGRs and accessories. At this time all funds been obligated (F04701-02-C-0011/ P00061).
Feb 18/08: Rockwell Collins, Inc. of Cedar Rapids, IA received a contract modification for $116.5 million, exercising production options for 52,039 DAGRs and accessories for US Department of Defense and Foreign Military Sales customers. At this time all funds have been obligated. The Global Positioning Systems Wing at El Segundo CA issued the contract (F04701-02-C-0011/ P00059).
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Aug 28/07: DAGR is selected to be part of the British Improved Targeting Geolocation Accuracy (ITGA) program, which aims to give British Forward Air Controllers and Forward Observers a better set of tools to work with. “Tactical air control: the job explained” offers an excellent overview of the role and its challenges; for more operational details, see the experiences of 3 PARA in Afghanistan, which included the exploits of Military Cross winner Flight Lieutenant Matthew Carter.
Aug 10/07: Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA received a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for $100.8 million, exercising production options for the purchase of 43,093 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) and accessories. This effort supports US procurement, and foreign military sales to Australia, Canada, France, and Germany. Work will be complete in September 2008 (F04701-02-C-0011/P00055).
Nov 22/06: Rockwell Collins Inc. Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA received an $82.7 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed fee contract modification, exercising production options for 37,787 DAGRs and accessories. Work will be complete October 2008. The Headquarters Global Positioning Systems Wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA issued the contract (F04701-02-C-0011/P00050).
Aug 11/06: Rockwell Collins Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $62.6 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed fee contract modification, exercising production options for 28,054 DAGRs and accessories. This effort supports foreign military sales to the following: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. At this time, total funds have been obligated; work will complete June 2007 (F04701-02-C-0011/P00043).
March 13/06: Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $7.8 million firm fixed price and cost plus fixed fee contract modification for the purchase of 3,614 DAGRs and accessories. This effort supports foreign military sales to the following: Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Kuwait, and Spain. Work will be complete April 2007 (F04701-02-C-0011/P00037).
Feb 15/06: Rockwell Collins Inc. Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $58.6 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification, exercising production options for 25,000 DAGRs. The order supports foreign military sales to Canada, France, Germany, Korea, Portugal and Hungary. At this time, total funds have been obligated, and work will be complete by April 2007 (F04701-02-C-0011/P00036).
Sept 9/05: Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Cedar Rapids, IA received a $5.2 million firm fixed price contract modification, exercising production options for the purchase of an additional 2,148 Defense Advanced Global Positioning Satellite Receivers (DAGRs) and accessories. This effort supports foreign military sales to Australia. Total funds have been obligated, and work will be complete by June 2006 (F04701-02-C-0011, P00028).
June 21/05: Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $45.3 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed fee contract modification, exercising production options for the purchase of 19,659 DAGRs and accessories. This effort supports foreign military sales to Germany, France, Canada and Australia. Total funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by June 2006 (F04701-02-C-0011, P00026).
Jan 31/05: Rockwell Collins Government Systems in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $59.3 million firm fixed price and cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification, exercising production options for 26,168 DAGRs and accessories. Total funds have been obligated, and work will be complete by April 2006 (F04701-02-C-0011, P00020).
Nov 6/02: Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa received a $5 million firm-fixed-price contract, and Raytheon Systems Co. in El Segundo, CA received a $5 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide First Article Test equipment software, training package development, and data, in support of the Defense Advanced Global Positioning System Receivers (DAGR).
Rockwell Collins will perform its effort in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (100%). The Raytheon effort will be performed by Raytheon in El Segundo, CA (28%), and Teledyne Industries, Inc. in Lewisburg, TN (72%). Total funds have been obligated; solicitation began in April 2002, negotiations were complete in September 2002, and work will be complete by May 2003 (F04701-02-C-0011, F04701-02-C-0012).
Additional Readings
- Rockwell Collins – HNV-660 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)
- USAF, Los Angeles Air Force Base – Fact Sheets: Global Positioning System
