China, Russia, Japan, India and the European Union are each working on their own satellite systems to identify the locations of mobile devices on the ground. So to stay ahead, the U.S. government is turning to the private sector. This year, the U.S. Air Force Research Lab plans to kick $15 million into technology startups developing tools for satellite-based navigation, positioning and timing. Grant applications are due by Jan. 22, and the Air Force won’t take an equity stake in the companies it gives money to, said Joel Sercel, the founder and president of ICS Associates, a tech consulting firm that’s advising the Air Force on the program. Read More
