H.R. 4344 — Resilient LEO PNT Act

This section directs the Secretary of the Air Force, subject to appropriations, to carry out a prototype project under 10 U.S.C. §4022—known as the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capability Demonstration—to test U.S.-based commercial providers' low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems as GPS alternatives. The Secretary must expeditiously select and contract with at least one covered service provider (i.e., a U.S.-headquartered commercial LEO positioning, navigation, and timing services entity) to deliver a demonstration within 18 months of contract award that meets specified capabilities, including (1) independent operation without GPS; (2) compatibility with civilian GPS L1 or L5 user equipment without hardware modifications; (3) enhanced resistance to jamming and spoofing; (4) timing accuracy of less than 10 nanoseconds and position accuracy of less than 30 centimeters; and (5) rapid service restoration if satellites are disabled. The Secretary must evaluate providers based on commercial viability, technological readiness of space/ground networks and user equipment, rapid satellite manufacturing feasibility, and Federal Communications Commission authorization; and, within 180 days of successful demonstration, award at least one follow-on production contract or transaction under 10 U.S.C. §4022 for operational deployment. Not later than two years after enactment, the Secretary must brief and report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on the provider list, assessments, demonstration results, and an operational deployment strategy and timeline. (As background, GPS provides critical positioning, navigation, and timing for military and civilian uses but is vulnerable to jamming and spoofing; this provision leverages prototype authorities to accelerate commercial LEO alternatives.)