PNI Sensor Enhanced Pilot Locator Beacon for GPS Denied Environments

The Enhanced Pilot Locator Beacon (EPLB) is a next-generation personnel recovery solution designed to provide secure, GPS-independent tracking and communication for downed aircrew and isolated personnel in contested and GPS-denied environments. The system integrates sensor-based Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (A-PNT) with LoRaWAN-based encrypted communication, ensuring reliable location tracking even in the presence of electronic warfare (EW) threats, GPS jamming, or spoofing. Unlike traditional Personnel Locator Beacons (PLBs) that rely on GPS and open-frequency distress signals, the EPLB leverages multi-modal navigation algorithms, pilot-controlled location obfuscation, and low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) transmission to enhance survivability and mission security. Designed for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and joint DoD personnel recovery operations, the EPLB seamlessly integrates with existing search and rescue (SAR) networks while offering enhanced operational security, long-range encrypted messaging, and resilience in denied, degraded, and disrupted (D3) battlespaces. This Phase II effort will focus on prototype development, field testing, and system optimization, ensuring readiness for Phase III transition and full-scale DoD deployment.