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
DSEI 2025

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
Chinook Maintenance School receives VMT system

Defence

Chinook Maintenance School receives VMT system

24 April 2025

Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter technicians now have access to latest generation interactive training technology to speed up their learning and development.

SME support from banks required to bolster defence strategy

Defence

SME support from banks required to bolster defence strategy

24 April 2025

Defence firms fear being debanked over ethical concerns amid the government's planned defence investment push and according to Heligan Group the UK’s defence strategy must include greater SME support from banks.

ITSA sees positive start to 2025 for UK connector market

Aerospace Defence

ITSA sees positive start to 2025 for UK connector market

24 April 2025

The Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association (ITSA) has reported that in Q1 of 2025 the UK connector market showed strong performance, with sales up 11% up over Q4 2024 and up 7% on Q1 2024.

Cranfield partners with ADI

Defence Events

Cranfield partners with ADI

23 April 2025

The Academy of Defense Industries (ADI) and Cranfield University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Human Capability Initiative event to advance collaborative research and teaching and to build skills in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Serco awarded RAF Air Cadets glider fleet contracts

Defence

Serco awarded RAF Air Cadets glider fleet contracts

23 April 2025

Serco has been awarded two new contracts to continue providing support to the Royal Air Force’s Air Cadet glider fleet.

VIVO secures PSDS grant for Net Zero schemes at two UK military bases

Defence

VIVO secures PSDS grant for Net Zero schemes at two UK military bases

23 April 2025

VIVO Defence Services has worked with two UK military bases to secure Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) grant funding for decarbonisation programmes.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025