Honeywell has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to participate in the Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program.
The TQS program has been designed to accelerate the fielding of quantum sensor technologies for near-term alternative Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications for the U.S. Joint Forces.
Under two DoD contracts, CRUISE (Compact Rubidium Unit for Inertial Sensing and Estimation) and QUEST (Quantum Enabled Sensor Technologies for MagNav), Honeywell will deliver advanced quantum-enabled navigation solutions capable of operating in environments where Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are degraded or denied.
“With the growing threat of jamming and spoofing, aircraft and naval vessels on critical missions can no longer rely solely on GPS,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation and Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace. “Quantum sensors have the potential to augment existing navigation solutions, helping pilots operate with greater confidence. Honeywell’s pedigree in fielded sensors and navigation solutions provide us with a unique perspective to ensure the technology is viable beyond the laboratory.”
The CRUISE program, developed in partnership with Vector Atomic, will create quantum sensor-based Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to provide a self-contained navigation capability without the need for GNSS. These IMUs will measure acceleration and orientation to determine position and velocity, meeting next-generation performance standards while reducing size, weight, and power requirements.
The QUEST program focuses on advancing Magnetic Anomaly Aided Navigation (MagNav) using quantum magnetometers to detect and utilise the Earth’s magnetic field as a navigation signal. Honeywell will contribute advanced algorithms to improve sensor integration and navigation accuracy for GNSS-denied flight operations.
Picchetti continues, “As quantum sensor-based navigation technology matures, we believe it not only has the potential to displace existing technologies but will also be a serious disruptor to the inertial and magnetic sensor industries. Most importantly, it could improve navigation in high-stakes environments – enhancing safety, efficiency and overall mission success for the DOD.”
