Iridium Announces Commercial Availability of Iridium PNT ASIC, Bringing Resilient GNSS Protection to Devices Worldwide

Rhea-AI Summary

Iridium (Nasdaq: IRDM) announced the commercial availability of its ultra-compact Iridium PNT ASIC, a first-to-market chip designed to protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing, and related threats. According to Iridium, more than 150 organizations across maritime, UXV, aviation, telecom, and critical infrastructure have already expressed demand.

The 8x8 mm chip weighs under 0.2 grams and delivers cryptographically secure timing and location data via one-way bursts from the Iridium satellite network, including indoors and in contested environments. Partners such as Solace Communications and Skyband Systems are integrating the ASIC into assured PNT and aviation navigation products.

Positive

• Commercial launch of Iridium PNT ASIC, a first-to-market assured PNT chip for GNSS protection
• Interest from 150+ organizations worldwide since unveiling in October 2025
• Ultra-compact ASIC at 8x8 mm and 0.2 grams/b for easy device integration
• Early integrations with partners Solace Communications and Skyband Systems in critical applications
• Leverages Iridium’s global satellite network to provide cryptographically secure timing and location data

Negative

• None.

News Explained

The July 14 release clarifies a lifecycle distinction: Solace says its Vector platform is now being deployed with the ASIC, while Skyband says it will integrate the chip into its M100 aviation unit.

News Market Reaction – IRDM

+0.56%

+0.56% Session close to close

In the Jul 14 session, IRDM gained 0.56%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

Set against moderate short positioning indicated in the platform data, this assured PNT ASIC launch ...

Analysis

Set against moderate short positioning indicated in the platform data, this assured PNT ASIC launch fits Iridium’s pattern of aviation and IoT product rollouts. Prior reactions to similar news have been mixed, so investors may watch whether adoption momentum outweighs sector and deal‑related uncertainties.

Key Figures

Customer organizations: more than 150 organizations Chip dimensions: 8 by 8 millimeters Chip weight: less than 0.2 grams +5 more

8 metrics

Customer organizations more than 150 organizations Iridium PNT ASIC demand since unveiling in October 2025

Chip dimensions 8 by 8 millimeters Iridium PNT ASIC physical size

Chip weight less than 0.2 grams Iridium PNT ASIC physical weight

GPS outage cost $1 billion per day 2019 NIST-sponsored study estimate for U.S. economy

Inflation-adjusted outage cost $1.3 billion per day Estimated GPS outage impact in 2026

Study year 2019 Year of NIST-sponsored GPS outage study

Reference year 2026 Year for inflation-adjusted GPS outage estimate

Incident date May 2026 In-flight jamming of UK Defence Secretary’s aircraft

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jul 09 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 09	earnings timing notice	Neutral	-1.1%	Announced July 22, 2026 release date for second‑quarter 2026 financial results.
Jul 06	acquisition close	Positive	-2.2%	Completed acquisition of Aireon, adding space‑based aviation surveillance capabilities.
Jun 24	technology testing update	Positive	-4.3%	Announced live testing of MS150-IR IoT-NTN chipset using Iridium NTN Direct.
Jun 23	product launch	Positive	+2.0%	Announced commercial availability of Iridium 9604 hybrid IoT module and dev kit.
May 14	acquisition announcement	Positive	+0.8%	Agreed to acquire remaining 61% of Aireon with added service revenue and OEBITDA.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent product and aviation‑strategy updates have produced mixed share reactions, with several seemingly positive announcements followed by negative one‑day moves.

Key Terms

gnss, application-specific integrated circuit, inertial sensing

3 terms

gnss technical

"designed to help protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing"

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, a network of satellites that provide precise location and timing information anywhere on Earth, like a constantly available digital map and clock. It matters to investors because many industries—transportation, agriculture, telecom, finance and defense—rely on this positioning and timing for products, services and critical infrastructure; improvements or disruptions in GNSS can change costs, create new revenue streams, or introduce operational risk.

application-specific integrated circuit technical

"the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) represents a major step forward"

An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is a custom-designed microchip built to perform a particular task or set of functions much more efficiently than a general-purpose processor. Think of it as a toolbox where every tool is permanently fixed to do one job very fast; for companies that rely on heavy computing, ASICs can lower costs, improve performance, and create product differentiation—factors that can influence profit margins, capital needs, and competitive position.

inertial sensing technical

"combines Iridium PNT with multi-band GNSS and inertial sensing to deliver"

Inertial sensing is the use of tiny sensors—like accelerometers and gyroscopes—to detect motion, orientation, and changes in speed, similar to how a car’s dashboard senses bumps and turns. For investors, it matters because these sensors are key components in many consumer devices, vehicles and industrial systems; their performance, cost and supply influence product features, market demand and a company’s revenue potential.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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07/14/2026 - 07:01 AM

Ultra-compact chip delivers trusted positioning, navigation, and timing resilience amid rising spoofing and jamming threats

MCLEAN, Va., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced the commercial availability of the Iridium PNT ASIC, a first-to-market chip designed to help protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing, and other growing threats.

Since the Iridium PNT ASIC's unveiling in October 2025, Iridium has received unprecedented demand from more than 150 organizations worldwide, spanning maritime, unmanned and autonomous systems (UXV), aviation, telecommunications, and other critical infrastructure sectors.

"The market response to the Iridium PNT ASIC has reinforced what we're hearing from customers around the world: assured PNT is becoming an essential capability across critical industries," said Dr. Michael O'Connor, executive vice president, PNT, Iridium. "With commercial availability, we're enabling manufacturers to integrate trusted timing and location capabilities into smaller, more efficient designs, making assured PNT accessible to more applications than ever before."

Measuring just 8 by 8 millimeters and weighing less than 0.2 grams, the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) represents a major step forward in expanding access to assured PNT technologies at scale. The chip delivers cryptographically secure timing and location data from the Iridium satellite network through one-way signal bursts that are powerful enough to work where traditional GNSS often cannot, including inside structures and in contested environments.

By continuously validating signal integrity and delivering trusted PNT data anywhere on Earth, the Iridium PNT ASIC provides a powerful new foundation not only for resilient navigation, but also timing. Financial markets, telecommunications networks, power grids, and governments all depend on precise time synchronization to coordinate operations and maintain reliable service.

As global reliance on GNSS continues to grow, so does the frequency and sophistication of signal interference such as jamming and spoofing. Recent incidents including the May 2026 in-flight jamming of United Kingdom Defence Secretary John Healey highlight increasing operational and safety risks associated with GNSS spoofing and jamming across commercial transportation, aviation, and critical infrastructure environments. According to a 2019 study sponsored by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a GPS outage was estimated to cost the U.S. economy approximately $1 billion per day. Adjusted for inflation, that figure would exceed $1.3 billion per day in 2026, underscoring the growing importance of reliable backup solutions.

Compact Assured PNT Integration Underway

Solace Communications, a provider of mission-critical communications solutions for demanding and remote environments, is one of several Iridium partners integrating the Iridium PNT ASIC. Its Vector family of assured PNT products combines Iridium PNT with multi-band GNSS and inertial sensing to deliver resilient positioning, navigation, and timing with continuous confidence scoring, while LTE and Iridium Short Burst Data^® (SBD^®) provide secure telemetry and messaging.

"The Iridium PNT ASIC supports our wider strategy of building one of the first edge-native, confidence-scored assured PNT platforms around multiple sources of positioning, timing, and motion data," said Adam Elcock, co-founder, Solace Communications. "Future navigation systems must do more than report a position. They must continuously determine whether that position and its timing can be trusted. That is the role Vector has been designed to fulfill and is now being deployed."

Skyband Systems, a developer of aviation-grade, PNT-resilient navigation hardware, will integrate the Iridium PNT ASIC into its M100 LRU for business and commercial aviation. The M100 combines Iridium PNT with onboard inertial sensing to alert crews to GNSS jamming and spoofing while providing aircraft location for enhanced situational awareness.

"Iridium's secure and powerful global service is the perfect platform for Skyband's resilient navigation product," said Robert Wiggenhorn, co-founder, Skyband Systems. "We are excited to partner with Iridium as they launch the Iridium PNT ASIC and look forward to further strengthening their legacy of aircraft innovation and safety."

Iridium continues to engage with developers, original equipment manufacturers, integrators, and technology providers to incorporate assured PNT capabilities into next-generation solutions. Those interested in ordering the Iridium PNT ASIC are encouraged to visit www.iridium.com/pnt/asic.

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network. It serves as a platform for innovation, enabling voice, data, and messaging, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and aircraft surveillance services anywhere on Earth. Through its satellite constellation and integrated capabilities like Aireon, the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system, Iridium delivers services that support safety-focused operations across aviation, maritime, government, industrial, and consumer markets. The company is a leader in satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is advancing direct-to-device (D2D) communications based on open standards to expand access to satellite services.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium innovates through an ecosystem of more than 500 technology and distribution partners, serving millions of customers worldwide. For more information visit www.iridium.com.

Press Contact:
Jordan Hassin
Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7421

Investor Contact:
Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7570

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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

FAQ

What is the Iridium PNT ASIC announced on July 14, 2026 by Iridium (NASDAQ: IRDM)?

The Iridium PNT ASIC is an ultra-compact chip providing resilient positioning, navigation, and timing data from the Iridium satellite network. According to Iridium, it delivers cryptographically secure timing and location to protect GPS- and GNSS-dependent devices from jamming, spoofing, and other interference across critical industries.

How does Iridium’s PNT ASIC protect GPS and GNSS devices from jamming and spoofing for IRDM customers?

Iridium’s PNT ASIC protects devices by supplying trusted timing and location data via powerful one-way satellite bursts. According to Iridium, the chip continuously validates signal integrity and can operate where traditional GNSS often fails, including inside structures and in contested or interference-heavy environments worldwide.

Which industries and partners are adopting the Iridium PNT ASIC from Iridium (IRDM)?

Iridium reports demand from over 150 organizations in maritime, UXV, aviation, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure sectors. According to Iridium, partners Solace Communications and Skyband Systems are integrating the ASIC into assured PNT platforms and aviation-grade navigation hardware for resilient positioning, navigation, and timing applications.

Why is the Iridium PNT ASIC important for financial markets and critical infrastructure in 2026?

The Iridium PNT ASIC supports precise, trusted timing required for financial markets, telecom networks, power grids, and governments. According to Iridium, a NIST-sponsored study estimated U.S. GPS outages could exceed $1.3 billion per day in 2026, highlighting the need for resilient backup timing solutions.

How small is the Iridium PNT ASIC chip and where can it operate reliably?

The Iridium PNT ASIC measures 8 by 8 millimeters and weighs under 0.2 grams. According to Iridium, it delivers cryptographically secure PNT data from the Iridium satellite network, working where traditional GNSS often cannot, including inside buildings and in contested radio-frequency environments globally.

How can manufacturers order or integrate the Iridium PNT ASIC from Iridium (NASDAQ: IRDM)?

Manufacturers can order and explore integration of the Iridium PNT ASIC via Iridium’s dedicated product page. According to Iridium, interested developers, OEMs, integrators, and technology providers are encouraged to visit www.iridium.com/pnt/asic to incorporate assured PNT capabilities into next-generation devices and systems.

What role do Solace Communications and Skyband Systems play in deploying the Iridium PNT ASIC?

Solace Communications and Skyband Systems are early integration partners for the Iridium PNT ASIC. According to Iridium, Solace’s Vector products and Skyband’s M100 aviation unit combine Iridium PNT with inertial sensing and other inputs to deliver confidence-scored, spoofing-aware navigation and timing solutions.