Advanced Navigation, a leader in assured position, navigation, and timing (APNT) and autonomous systems, is expanding its footprint in the United States by leveraging the expertise of the nation’s military veterans.
As demand for APNT capabilities accelerates across the defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure sectors, Advanced Navigation has made veteran recruitment a core pillar of its U.S. growth blueprint- drawing on the intelligence of former service members to drive innovation, mission alignment, and customer trust.
Currently, Advanced Navigation’s entire defense growth team consists of veterans—a force the company plans to more than double within the year, ensuring its technologies are shaped by those who understand the battlespace.
APNT is reportedly a strategic priority for the U.S. Department of Defense as adversaries increasingly target GPS vulnerabilities and threaten the integrity of critical systems. Advanced Navigation understands true navigational resilience requires more than just GPS. The company champions a multi-system, layered approach, integrating a suite of technologies to ensure continuous operation on the battlefield in the absence of GPS.
Former U.S. Army Captain and Head of Global Defense at Advanced Navigation, Wayne Prender, believes warfighters-turned-technologists are central to this mission. Prender commented, “Veterans bring more than technical expertise, they understand firsthand the urgency and complexities of navigation in contested spaces. Their experience directly informs how we design, test, and implement solutions, delivering capabilities that genuinely enhance mission outcomes and warfighter safety.”
Veterans Shaping Mission-Critical Innovation & Operational Trust
By recruiting former service members—many with operational experience in submarines, special operations, aviation, and electronic warfare—Advanced Navigation brings deep, firsthand expertise to APNT applications across the battlespace. From unmanned systems and advanced radar to precision strike platforms and secure battlefield communications, these veterans help ensure mission-critical technology meets the demands of modern warfare.
Currently leading U.S. defense growth for Advanced Navigation, retired Navy submariner and combat veteran Stephen Fujiwara applies his operational experience to guide both product development and customer strategy.
Fujiwara added, “When you’ve operated in environments where GPS is useless and every decision counts, you develop a deep respect for the reliability and precision of your navigation tools. That experience doesn’t just shape how I engage with customers, it directly informs how we develop our technology. It’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate on solutions that not only improve mission outcomes but can ultimately save lives and give warfighters confidence when it matters most.”
Building the Future of Resilient Navigation
Beyond engineering and technological insights, veterans are playing a critical role in support and integration. Their familiarity with defense acquisition processes, mission planning cycles, and end-user requirements helps Advanced Navigation build credibility and trust with U.S. government stakeholders.
The company’s veteran-led business development team partners closely with system integrators, program offices, and military end users to deliver tailored APNT solutions that meet rigorous performance, compliance, and security standards. Their military experience enables seamless communication between technical teams and military operators, accelerating timelines and reducing the risk of misalignment.
Advanced Navigation CEO and co-founder Chris Shaw explained, “Our mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution and veterans play a vital role in that journey. Those who’ve operated at the edge understand it isn’t just about building cutting-edge systems, it’s about delivering solutions that can be trusted.
“By aligning our growth with the skill, discipline, and mission-driven mindset of U.S. military veterans, Advanced Navigation is not only strengthening its APNT capabilities across the U.S., it’s building a team uniquely equipped to empower and protect the warfighters of the future.”
