Advanced Navigation, a global leader in Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) technologies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with international defense leader MBDA.
The collaboration aims to develop a resilient navigation system integrating MBDA’s NILEQ absolute positioning technology, designed to provide reliable navigation for various airborne platforms. This breakthrough aligns with growing demands for GPS-independent solutions in both military and commercial domains.
The co-developed navigation solution will integrate MBDA’s NILEQ absolute positioning technology, which uses terrain fingerprinting to provide resilient, interference-resistant positioning. It targets applications in modern uncrewed and manned airborne systems requiring enhanced navigation capabilities in contested or GPS-denied environments.
NILEQ’s innovative sensing technology captures terrain data during flight and matches it against a pre-existing surface database. Inspired by biological change detection processes, this patent-pending technology delivers absolute position fixes that are unaffected by external interference. It enhances mission-critical navigation for airborne systems, including Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS), by addressing limitations of conventional image-based navigation solutions.
Strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and Australia
Highlighting the importance of increasing bilateral opportunities, September marked the three-year anniversary for AUKUS, which was formed on 15th September 2021. The potential applications of the co-developed solution are wide-ranging and span both the civilian and military domains. The solution also further supports growing legal requirements for GPS alternatives. This is of heightened importance at a time when geopolitical conflicts and electronic warfare – the jamming and spoofing of GPS signals – are simultaneously on the rise.
Regarding the strategic context of AUKUS Pillar 2, the companies are working on capabilities to translate novel, complex research and technology into meaningful practical applications that are of mutual benefit to the United Kingdom and Australia. This means:
- Informed decision-making
- Strategic autonomy
- Heightened combat efficiency
More than a strategic advantage, it is the key to bolstering national security in the face of emerging threats.
Speaking of the collaboration, Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said, “In an increasingly uncertain world where interference is becoming ubiquitous, commercial and military sectors can no longer rely purely on GNSS for flight operations. There is an urgent need for additional navigation aiding to supplement platform inertial navigation and GNSS receiver systems.”
Tom Tizard, MBDA Australia General Manager, said, “We look forward to seeing MBDA’s innovation-driven solutions form the cornerstone of future airborne navigation systems. NILEQ seeks to address the enormous demand for resilient absolute positioning information that will complement the existing navigation systems of airborne platforms. Advanced Navigation are an ideal Australian partner to help accelerate the technology towards market entry. Navigation technologies that are not simply accurate and precise, but also provide the ‘resilience’ against interference, is what propels this partnership.”
Key Features:
NILEQ Terrain Fingerprinting Technology
Utilizes neuromorphic sensors to derive and match terrain fingerprints for precise positioning.
Passive and Interference-Resistant
Ensures reliable operation in GPS-jammed or spoofed environments.
BVLOS Operations
Enhances safety and accuracy for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) mission
Advanced Navigation and MBDA plan to validate the NILEQ technology in an airborne demonstration in Australia, showcasing its potential to revolutionize GPS-independent navigation for next-generation airborne systems.
