Basically, it looks like an enhanced WAAS type deal, with ground-based terrestrial antennae broadcasting positioning data instead of traditional GPS. Mountain View, CA based firm ROSUM has been awarded the initial contract to provide Boeing with technology required to make the broadcast system work. According to the press release, the RSN program "seeks to exploit signals of opportunity to deliver precise location information."

ROSUM already has technology that can use unmodified broadcast TV signals for position location. Boeing is reportedly also subcontracting to U.S. firms NAVSYS and Shared Spectrum for other elements of the system.

Like most of our modern day world, Boeing's surface navigation concept will be for military use at first, specifically aimed at the "U.S. warfighter". This DARPA/Boeing lovechild is scheduled to begin a 15-month Phase 1 concept development process, after which military execs will decide if they want to greenlight the system for wider distribution.