HMGCC Co-Creation is seeking Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) simulators to support testing of multiple communication systems at the same time.

In this challenge, we want to hear from organisations which have developed, or can develop, compact and low-cost systems to replicate real-time global GNSS constellations.

Organisations are being asked to apply if, over a 12-week period, they can develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses associated with this challenge.

Technology themes
This challenge has the potential to touch on key areas of technology including:

• communication systems
• electronic engineering;
• modelling and simulation;
• position navigation and timing;
• radio frequency science and engineering;
• space and satellites;
• telecoms.

Key information

Budget per single organisation, up to £60,000
Project duration 12 weeks
Competition opens Monday 7 July
Competition closes Thursday 7 August 2025 at 5pm

Context of the challenge

The UK national security and defence community operates globally, often in contested environments and conflict zones. Many communication systems rely on GNSS for position, navigation and timing signals.

To ensure the reliability of these systems, it is crucial to first test them in the most realistic environments possible. Typically, the technology needs to be portable and pocket-sized to meet the requirement. Due to limited access to trials in real world locations, testing is typically carried out in radio frequency (RF) shielded rooms to replicate these environments.

Who should apply?

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

Evaluation criteria

All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1–5 on the following criteria:

Scope: Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?

Innovation: Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?

Deliverables: Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?

Timescale: Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?

Budget: Are the project finances within the competition scope?

Team: Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?

HMGCC Co-Creation supporting information

HMGCC works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.

HMGCC Co-Creation is a partnership between HMGCC and Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory), created to deliver a new, bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community. We bring together the best in class across industry, academia, and government, to work collaboratively on national security engineering challenges and accelerate innovation.

HMGCC Co-Creation is part of the NSTIx Co-Creation network, which enables the UK government national security community to collaborate on science, technology and innovation activities and to deliver these in partnership with a more diverse set of contributors for greater shared impact and pace.

HMGCC Co-Creation aims to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working Agile by default. This process will involve access to HMGCC Co-Creation’s technical expertise and facilities to bring a product to market more effectively than traditional customer/supplier relationships.