From Risk to Resilience
SHIELD CRC has four integrated, future-facing Research Programs, each targeting a specific layer of PNT resilience. These Programs support a coordinated national capability to detect threats, enhance redundancy, harden systems, and secure trusted navigation and timing services. Each Research Program is designed to solve a key vulnerability, deliver sector-specific and cross-sectoral benefits or feed into national policy, regulation, standardisation, certification, and operational readiness.
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESEARCH OUTPUTS
National PNT Threat Assessment & Response Infrastructure
Sovereign & Fit-For-Purpose GNSS-Independent Solutions
Crisis Preparedness via Live Demonstrators & Testbeds
Secure PNT Built on Layered Cyber & Physical Protections
Future Ready Workforce & Capability Development
Productivity & Business Continuity
INDUSTRY OUTCOMES
Stimulate New Industry Growth
Sovereignty & National Security
Research Programs
Research Program 1: Assess and Detect
Intelligence-Led Threat Sensing and Awareness
Program 1 will develop smart systems to detect, understand, and respond to disruptions in PNT services, such as jamming, spoofing, or signal loss, across complex environments. It will create a national network for real-time monitoring and decision support to improve crisis readiness using AI and distributed sensors.
Possible themes include:
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AI-enabled anomaly and interference detection
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Real-time PNT threat alerting and diagnostics
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Sensor fusion across platforms and locations
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Resilience classification and threat modelling
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Simulation tools for risk and disruption scenarios
Key outcome:
An AI-enabled national monitoring system that delivers real-time PNT threat diagnostics across civilian, defence, and emergency services.
Research Program 2: Augment and Adapt
Redundant Architectures, Complementary Technologies, and Sensor Fusion
Program 2 will design scalable PNT systems by integrating alternative technologies and sensor fusion strategies. It enables systems to operate reliably in degraded or denied environments using autonomous sensor selection, plug-and-play modules, and flexible deployment options tailored for diverse infrastructure sectors.
Possible themes include:
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Multi-modal sensor fusion (e.g., GNSS, LiDAR, UWB)
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New sensor technology development
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Plug-and-play augmentation systems
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Retrofit and greenfield deployment models
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Sector-specific solutions (e.g., rail, maritime, mining)
Key outcome:
A validated suite of modular, fault-tolerant augmentation technologies ensuring resilient PNT services under diverse conditions.
Program 3 will enable PNT capabilities that maintain integrity, availability and trust even in the most demanding environments. It will lay the foundation for mission-critical applications in defence, autonomous systems, emergency services and infrastructure where failure is not an option.
Possible themes include:
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Workforce and capability development
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Self-healing and graceful degradation protocols
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PNT-as-a-Service and resilience certification models
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Digital twin test environments for stress testing
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Ensuring operation and survivability under GNSS-denied, contested, or degraded conditions
Key outcome:
Mission-critical sectors maintain reliable, uninterrupted and trusted PNT capabilities in contested and degraded environments.
Research Program 3: Toughen and Protect
System Hardening and Self-Healing PNT
Research Program 4: Secure and Assure
PNT Protection and Assurance
Program 4 will protect PNT as a critical national utility by developing secure architectures, assurance frameworks, and policy alignment strategies. It will enable trusted handover, sector-specific risk assessments, and support standards, insurance models, and regulatory readiness across industries.
Possible themes include:
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Cyber-secure, resilient architectures for trusted PNT delivery
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Quantum security enhancement
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Sector-specific solutions to protect PNT
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Secure signal authentication and system integrity
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Secure PNT-as-a-Service models
Key outcome:
A national PNT assurance framework that integrates secure technology, policy, and governance to ensure trusted and sustained services.
Education & Training Program
Education & Training
PNT specific professional education and vocational training will be developed and implemented through the SHIELD CRC. This will build national capability to detect threats, enhance redundancy, harden systems, and secure trusted navigation and timing services.
The dedicated Education and Training Program will deliver to partners:
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Industry training program through TAFEs and VETs
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Higher Degree by Research (HDR) for PhDs and Masters by Research
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Masters by Coursework programs for mid-career professional development
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Modules in undergraduate programs
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Micro-credential programs for industry professionals
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Customised community education programs
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Talent attraction to the PNT sector