Integrasys, a Spanish company, has entered into a new collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop the NAVSHIELD project. This initiative aims to create an advanced solution that protects critical positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems from radiofrequency attacks and interference.
The contract was signed by Rafael Lucas on behalf of the ESA and Álvaro Sánchez, the CEO of Integrasys. Through this agreement, Integrasys is reaffirming its commitment to enhancing the security of communication and satellite positioning, which is increasingly vital for European defense and critical infrastructure.
The NAVSHIELD project builds on Integrasys”s previous experience in signal protection solutions developed under ESA programs, such as CleanRF, and focuses on maintaining the integrity of positioning in highly degraded environments. “What NAVSHIELD does is anti-jamming that eliminates interference in very degraded environments for positioning, navigation, and timing,” explained Álvaro Sánchez. “This is a very important project for us because it broadens and diversifies our product line. We have recognized the need to shift towards PNT solutions, and we believe it is a significant achievement to have the support of the Spanish Space Agency and ESA in this initiative.”
The program”s goal is to develop an operational prototype capable of providing active protection against interference while ensuring the reliability of positioning in systems like GPS, Galileo, and other global constellations. Integrasys will act as the sole contractor for the project, taking on the design, development, and technological validation of the system.
According to Sánchez, the value proposition of NAVSHIELD lies in its departure from conventional interference mitigation approaches. “The fundamental innovation is that it completely breaks with existing technologies. Instead of just managing the antenna or satellite, our system applies a real-time active signal filter, making it truly innovative,” he stated.
Integrasys”s technology complements nulling antennas, also known as CRPAS or RPAS, which dynamically select the most optimal antenna element. “This solution adds a differentiating layer that increases the resilience of PNT systems against attempts at denial or signal spoofing,” Sánchez added.
The contract has a duration of 24 months and a budget of 2.5 million euros, directly impacting specialized employment within the company. “Six people will work on this project, including senior engineers and three new specialists coming from the GPS field,” detailed Sánchez. “Moreover, such products generate a significant growth curve: we expect NAVSHIELD to exceed 25 million euros in revenue in the coming years.”
The company anticipates that the development of the system will enhance its international competitiveness and open new business opportunities in the defense, positioning, and secure communications sectors.
Integrasys”s relationship with the ESA is part of a continued technological collaboration, both in product development and experimental validation. “We have systems deployed from Fiji to Alaska and from Cape Town to Norway. The ESA provides us with a quality stamp and also helps us improve with its technical advice,” Sánchez commented. “Sometimes they even provide us with testing laboratories, and in this case, we will validate our GPS anti-jammer at their facilities.”
Having previously developed equipment for ESA laboratories, Integrasys continues to strengthen its presence in European programs focused on satellite security innovation and communications resilience. The NAVSHIELD development has direct applications in protecting critical infrastructures and defense environments, where accurate positioning and navigation are essential. “This project will empower us to operate in degraded positioning and navigation environments, aiming to save lives and ensure that our Armed Forces and authorities can navigate correctly without the risk of interference or signal deception,” concluded Sánchez.
With this contract, Integrasys solidifies its position as a leading Spanish entity in advanced space technologies while aligning with Europe”s objective of strengthening technological sovereignty and security in the space domain, contributing to the development of critical solutions that ensure the reliability of operations on land, at sea, and in the air.
