American tech startup SandboxAQ has introduced a new AI-enabled navigation system called AQNav, which can combat GPS jamming. The technology utilizes quantum sensors to collect data from the Earth’s crustal magnetic field, allowing it to offer real-time navigation in areas where GPS signals are unavailable. By using AI algorithms to filter out potential interferences, the AQNav system is resistant to jamming and spoofing actions.
According to Luca Ferrara, manager at SandboxAQ, GPS signals are susceptible to interference, which can cause vehicles to drift off course when transitioning to inertial navigation systems in motion. The Earth’s crustal magnetic field provides a consistent passive external signal, making it a dependable data source for navigation. While initially designed for commercial purposes, the AQNav can be incorporated into military sea, land, and air platforms, as well as autonomous vehicles and operations conducted in GPS-denied environments underground or underwater.
The significance of having an alternative navigation system in modern warfare is highlighted by the potential vulnerability of GPS as a target in conflict zones. John Richardson, a former US Navy admiral working with SandboxAQ, emphasized the necessity of tools like AQNav to maintain precision in a GPS-denied setting, especially considering the risks of GPS disruption in conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. To address this critical vulnerability, advancements in systems like AQNav are crucial for improving the way war is conducted.
Flight tests conducted by the US Air Force, Boeing, and Airbus have shown the AQNav system’s effectiveness, with over 200 flight hours logged. This demonstrates the system’s reliability and applicability across various industries and scenarios, indicating its potential to play a significant role in enhancing navigation capabilities and addressing challenges posed by GPS jamming and spoofing.