New GravNav system offers 10 times more accuracy without GPS signal

The increasing number of GPS jamming and spoofing signals is becoming a serious threat to the navigation of ships and aircraft, especially in conflict zones. As Michael J. Biercuk, CEO and founder of Australian company Q-CTRL, points out, competitors are not waiting, so it is crucial to take the lead in developing defensive advantages using quantum technology.

Sydney-based company Q-CTRL has therefore developed a solution that does not require a connection to satellites. Unlike classical systems, quantum sensors work passively. This means that they measure physical properties of the environment, such as gravitational or magnetic fields, and compare them with previously prepared maps. Because the sensors do not receive or transmit external signals, they cannot be hacked or disabled with false signals, which is invaluable for military use.

The team initially developed Q-CTRL's MagNav system to detect magnetic field changes, but after successful tests on land and in the air, they focused on Q-CTRL's GravNav system. This measures gravity fields, providing more detailed maps and technical support for maritime navigation. Although the idea has been around for decades, no one has publicly demonstrated a working system without relying on GPS or additional infrastructure.

The key to its success is the company’s Q-CTRL software, powered by artificial intelligence. This stabilizes the quantum sensor and allows it to operate in a demanding marine environment without the need for special temperature control systems or gyroscopic motion control. During the test in the Coral Sea, the device was installed in the passenger cabin of a ship and operated completely autonomously. It achieved 10 times better accuracy than conventional GNSS systems, with positioning accuracy within one nautical mile.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Steve Sklenka said the demonstration suggests a credible path to accurate navigation without satellites. This is exactly what distributed maritime operations and logistics desperately need in cases where GPS signals are down. Of course, this is only the first public test of its kind at sea, and moving from test conditions to general operational use typically requires additional testing in a variety of weather and sea conditions.