Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Leonardo’s PRS receiver certified for defence and emergencies across Europe

Defence Security Space

Leonardo’s PRS receiver certified for defence and emergencies across Europe

Leonardo has designed, developed and built the only receiver specifically conceived for the ultra-secure Public Regulated Service (PRS) - provided by the Galileo satellite navigation service - which is currently accredited for use throughout Europe.

Image courtesy Leonardo

It is the first and only device to be accredited for use throughout the continent. Thanks to this accreditation, civil and military bodies will have access to Galileo's PRS service for secure and accurate positioning and navigation information essential for public security.

The device - produced at the Leonardo plants for the Italian Space Agency and under the coordination of Italy’s Competent PRS Authority, expressed by the Department of Information Security - Central Secrecy Office - has won the approval of the Council of the European Union for IT (Information Technology) security products after successfully completing the process that requires double cryptographic evaluation.

Advertisement
ODU RT

In fact, in line with the directives of the Council of the EU, the receiver was first nationally certified and then tested by a second Authority (Appropriately Qualified Authority - AQUA), chosen from those recognised by the Council for the European certification of cryptographic products.

A series of rigorous tests has demonstrated the device's high level of security under various aspects:
Computer operations (computer security)
Encryption for the protection of information (communications security)
The prevention of information leaks caused by electromagnetic emissions from terminals (emission security).

With its recently awarded certification, the Leonardo receiver will enable all authorised bodies, both civil and military, to access the PRS service of the European Galileo satellite programme, the most accurate worldwide. This encrypted, secure and resilient service is accessible only to EU Member State government authorised users and provides positioning, navigation and synchronisation data for sensitive applications, including defence, fire services, health services, search and rescue, police, coastguards and civil protection. The Leonardo receiver is installed on board the vehicles of bodies that use the PRS service to provide reliable, accurate and cyber-protected information.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The Leonardo receivers are now ready to be sent to Prague, where the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has its headquarters, for tests on the PRS signal in various European countries. This is a preparatory step before the service becomes fully operational. The first device was installed and is now operational at the Galileo security centre in Paris.

A flagship programme of the EU, Galileo is managed and funded by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA leads the design, development and qualification of the space and ground systems, as well as procuring launches. ESA is also entrusted with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within the EU programme Horizon Europe. The EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) acts as the service provider, overseeing the market and application needs and closing the loop with users.

Galileo is the most accurate satellite navigation system in the world, serving more than four billion people and devices globally. All smartphones sold in the European Single Market are now guaranteed Galileo-enabled. In addition, Galileo is making a difference across the fields of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations. Galileo provides positioning and navigation services that are accessible free of charge to the public, as well as ad hoc services for specific applications and an encrypted service, the PRS (Public Regulated Service), which is accessible only to users authorised by governments of the EU Member States. Galileo's precision and accuracy is also made possible through the technological contribution of the Leonardo Group, which plays a leading role in both the land and the space-based components of the programme.

Advertisement
Roke Roke
Babcock supporting one in every 550 jobs in the UK

Defence

Babcock supporting one in every 550 jobs in the UK

1 April 2025

New independent research by Oxford Economics reveals how defence company Babcock International Group (Babcock) drives growth across the UK economy through jobs, investment in the supply chain, and tax contributions.

QinetiQ to strengthen Australia’s defence aviation safety

Defence

QinetiQ to strengthen Australia’s defence aviation safety

1 April 2025

QinetiQ has been awarded a AU$47 million contract to support Australia’s Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA).

Sir Patrick Vallance hears from regional leaders at Cranfield University event

Aerospace Defence Events

Sir Patrick Vallance hears from regional leaders at Cranfield University event

31 March 2025

Recently appointed Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion and Science Minister, Lord Vallance was at Cranfield University earlier this month for a special roundtable event with business leaders, university representatives and local authorities from the central area of the corridor around Cranfield, Milton Keynes and Bedford.

Solus Power opens Series A funding round

Defence Security

Solus Power opens Series A funding round

31 March 2025

Solus Power has announced the launch of its Series A funding round, with a target raise of £5 million to help fulfil the startup’s mission to revolutionise energy access across defence, security and civilian sectors.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Work begins on RAF Digby accommodation blocks

Defence Events

Work begins on RAF Digby accommodation blocks

28 March 2025

Work to build four new accommodation blocks for personnel has officially commenced at RAF Digby, in Lincolnshire.

CYSIAM and CrowdStrike form strategic partnership

Defence Security

CYSIAM and CrowdStrike form strategic partnership

27 March 2025

CYSIAM has formed a strategic partnership with CrowdStrike aimed at strengthening cyber resilience across the UK defence sector supply chain.

Advertisement
ODU RT