Advanced Navigation has appointed Michelle Toscan as Head of APAC to accelerate the delivery of dual-use resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions across the Indo-Pacific region.
The appointment follows a year of doubled company growth and responds directly to the escalating threat of GPS interference. Toscan’s leadership will be critical as assured, GPS-independent autonomy rapidly shifts from a strategic advantage to a baseline requirement for commercial operations and national security, from the deep sea to space.
Toscan joins Advanced Navigation with nearly 20 years of experience supporting the Australian Defence Department, Federal Government, and industry. Her career combines military discipline with strong commercial acumen, including senior roles at Anduril Industries as Director of Strategy and Commercial, Google as an Account Executive supporting government, and Leidos as Head of Sourcing and Commercial Management. She also served as a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy for more than two decades and continues to support the Department of Defence.
Toscan holds a master’s degree in international law and international relations, along with bachelor’s degrees in law and arts (history) from the University of New South Wales. She also has a graduate diploma in military law from the Australian National University and a graduate diploma in legal practice from the College of Law.
The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Chairman of Advanced Navigation, commented on the appointment, saying, “Across APAC, we are witnessing an urgency to rethink navigation resilience from the ground up. Escalating GPS interference and mounting supply-chain vulnerabilities demand sovereign solutions that can withstand extreme environments. Advanced Navigation continues to take charge and demonstrate what it means to be a visionary sovereign innovator. Michelle’s appointment is a signal of Advanced Navigation’s commitment to staying at the forefront of national and commercial interests across the region.”
Christopher McNamara, Advanced Navigation Chief Revenue Officer, added, “Toscan’s deep understanding of the Defence and Federal Government landscapes, coupled with her extensive commercial experience, makes her uniquely qualified to lead our APAC expansion.“
Resilient PNT to Counter GPS Vulnerabilities
The requirement for resilient PNT technologies spans multiple sectors. Across the APAC region, government and industry leaders are increasingly treating resilient PNT as a requirement rather than a strategic advantage. In Australia, this shift is reflected in the government’s commitment to strengthening its warfighting edge through the establishment of the Joint PNT Directorate, which has now reached initial operating capability.
McNamara stated, “Defense platforms, such as radar, tactical, and autonomous systems, rely on uncompromisable navigation precision. Maritime platforms, including autonomous surface vessels and underwater vehicles, require GPS-independent positioning. Mining operations also increasingly depend on GPS‑denied solutions for underground positioning and autonomous fleet management.”
Strengthening Sovereign Supply Chains & Capability
Toscan will immediately lead Advanced Navigation’s engagement in the Australian Defence Department’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program, where the company already supports allied governments and industry partners.
The company is a key supplier to Rheinmetall, delivering strategic-grade Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), while its resilient PNT architectures are deployed across defense primes including Boeing, Leidos, BAE Systems, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.
To strengthen supply chain resilience, Advanced Navigation employs a vertically integrated manufacturing model across its high-performance navigation portfolio. The company engineers and builds products in-house at its high-tech PNT facility, maintaining tight control over quality, security, and innovation. This end-to-end capability enables rapid adaptation to disruption and supports evolving delivery requirements across defense and commercial markets.
Commenting on her new role, Toscan said, “As APAC’s strategic landscape evolves, Australia has a critical role to play in safeguarding our allied nations. Advanced Navigation exemplifies the ingenuity, precision, and innovation Australian technology brings to complex systems on land, at sea, and in the air, where knowing your position is critical. I’m proud to join a company that leads through technological excellence with both defence and commercial partners.”
Advanced Navigation was founded on a culture of research and discovery and aims to act as a catalyst for the autonomy revolution, delivering dual-use sensing and navigation technologies for mission-critical operations.
