UK Government’s 10 Point Resilient PNT framework is welcome news for the RIN PNT Advisory Group 

By Guy Buesnel and Andy Proctor 

 

UK Government announces a Resilient PNT Framework

The UK government has announced its long awaited Resilient PNT framework including a crisis plan, to support UK Critical National Infrastructure and essential services, which have all been identified as being critically dependent on the use of PNT data from GNSS. 
The plan includes the following points:
• Establishing a National PNT Office in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with responsibility for PNT policy, coordination, and delivery    
• Retain and update the Cross Government PNT Crisis Plan     
• Develop a proposal for a National Timing Centre
• Develop a proposal for ‘Ministry of Defence Time’ 
• Develop a proposal for a resilient, terrestrial, and sovereign eLORAN system to provide backup Position and Navigation  
• Rollout resilient GNSS receiver chips, develop holdover clocks, and consider options for legislation on CNI sectors to require minimum resilient PNT   
• Develop a proposal for a UK PPP Satellite-Based Augmentation System 
• Explore options for Centres for Doctoral Training PNT  and review PNT skills, education, and training 
• Develop a PNT growth policy, including R&D programmes, standards and testing, to drive innovation for PNT based productivity   
• Deploy existing R&D funding into a UK Quantum Navigator and investigate options for a UK sovereign regional satellite system   

 

10-Point plan broadly welcomed by PNT community

The UK government believes that “strengthening PNT capabilities will give direction to the PNT industry, whilst fostering innovation, growth, and cutting-edge technology development, positioning the UK as a global PNT leader.”

This is welcome news for the UK academia and industry experts who have been raising awareness of the overdependence on GNSS in critical infrastructure and other application areas.  
It also comes on the back of a updated London Economics study into the economic impact to the UK of a major disruption to GNSS, which noted that the impact of loss had risen from a conservative £1.1billion in 2017 to £1.4billion in 2021.

 

RIN PAG White paper addresses adoption of Resilient PNT

The announcement by the government was very timely, coming just a few weeks before the RIN holds its second “Leadership in PNT” event at the Royal Society and just after the publication of the updated UK National Risk Register, which included a risk of loss of PNT, and the publication of a RIN authored paper by the National Preparedness Commission noting the need to be more prepared for the loss of PNT services. In addition, the RIN PNT Advisory Group’s (PAG) published a white paper, “Recommendations to Promote the Adoption of Resilient Position, Navigation and Timing in the UK - With Growing Capabilities Come Growing Threats”

The white paper, the first major publication from the RIN PNT Advisory group asserts that Resilient PNT is an area in which the UK could provide leadership to improve PNT performance given the high level of expert knowledge and track record in innovation and excellence that the UK possesses.

The RIN PAG has been involved in activities to support decision makers, regulators, industry, academia, and all involved in developing the Resilient PNT framework for the UK. It is developing plans to carry its work forward during 2024 and beyond; setting out tasks to support the government and National PNT office in the delivery of its ten-point framework will be high on its agenda.  As well as developing and publishing its recommendations on the adoption of Resilient PNT in the UK, the Advisory Group since its formation has looked at the role of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for delivering PNT services,  is involved in work to assess the need for a dedicated UK PNT Innovation Institute and national test framework, and is assessing the impact of new PNT technologies such as Quantum and AI. The PAG also will continue working with the Ministry of Defence on the use of PNT in defence, and ways to improve, nurture and grow the UK skills base.  

“Multi-faceted Endeavour”

John Pottle, Director of the Royal Institute of Navigation, commented that the very welcome announcement by the government recognised that achieving greater PNT resilience was a multi-faceted endeavour. The ownership provided by the National PNT Office would provide policy and delivery oversight, and co-ordination across all stakeholders.    

As well as improving national preparedness, the PNT framework has potential to help further strengthen the UK’s thought leadership and innovation in robust and resilient PNT.   

Andy Proctor, Chair of the RIN PNT Advisory Group also welcomed the government’s announcement of the ten- point plan for a resilient PNT framework for the UK and said 
“The announcement of the measures and recommendations set out in the framework are a welcome step forward in addressing the vulnerabilities due to the UK’s dependency on satellite-based PNT, particularly GNSS. GNSS supports around £320 billion (15%)* of UK GDP, improving the UK’s PNT robustness, security and resilience will be key to mitigating vulnerabilities to the loss of satellite-based PNT, and to capture the significant growth opportunities that the framework could enable.”

 

Challenges ahead

Recent world events are reinforcing the need for improved PNT robustness, security, and resilience across critical applications and national infrastructure – but the road ahead to implement the framework will not be without bumps – the UK is rapidly approaching its next General Election and whilst the National PNT Office will be working very hard to develop more detailed costed plans for the framework, there are bound to be some uncertainties and delays in moving the plans forward. The RIN has a strong role to play in providing government with a source of knowledge, expertise, and support that it can rely on whilst it tackles more challenging task of making the framework a reality. 

As a learned society, the RIN brings a well-balanced voice to the task of raising awareness of PNT security and the need for responsible use of PNT more generally across society.

If you are interested in becoming a contributor to the RIN PAG work being planned for 2024, please contact either Andy Proctor (PAG Chair), Guy Buesnel (PAG Secretary) or Clare Stead (RIN Communications and Events Manager ) in the first instance.

* According to the 2022 UKSA Size and Health of the UK Space Industry Study