Precision navigation and guidance are critical to operational effectiveness across today’s battlespace. Since the Cold War, satellite-based systems such as GPS have underpinned the UK’s access to Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) data—supporting everything from precision strike to logistics. However, the proliferation of GPS jamming and spoofing, particularly in contested regions around Ukraine and the Middle East, has exposed the system’s vulnerability in the face of modern electronic warfare.
This fragility has sparked a renewed focus on resilient alternatives. In 2023, the UK government released a national PNT framework to address these challenges, recognising PNT as a vital enabler for defence, critical infrastructure, and national security. Complementary initiatives, including the National Timing Centre and the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation & Timing, are also laying the groundwork for future-proof solutions to reduce reliance on traditional GPS systems.
As threats evolve, so must our navigation capabilities. Strengthening the resilience and sovereignty of the UK’s PNT infrastructure is not just a technical necessity—it’s a strategic imperative.
The Resilience of Inertial Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments
Among APNT technologies, a highly practical and reliable solution is inertial navigation systems (INS). INS relies on the principle of dead reckoning, leveraging accelerometers, gyroscopes and sometimes magnetometers to determine an object’s position, orientation and velocity.
Unlike GPS, INS does not rely on satellite signals, which makes it indispensable for vehicles to remain operational even in the most demanding environments.
Defence-grade INS have become crucial for a range of applications. For example, it can provide precise pointing and tracking capabilities for mobile radar systems. In these scenarios, FOG-based INS are typically used, such as Advanced Navigation’s Boreas Digital Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (DFOG) INS. The in-built gyrocompass can rapidly estimate and lock in true North in both static and dynamic conditions, enabling the radar to conduct battlefield surveillance, detection and target tracking with high accuracy. These units can be easily integrated to control the radar’s orientation and maintain correct alignment, allowing operators to deploy effective countermeasures to protect personnel and critical assets.
For armoured combat vehicles, a defence-grade INS can serve as both the primary and secondary navigation aids alongside compass systems and maps. Again, using a FOG-based INS can enable continuous, real-time navigation data essential for collision avoidance, path planning and situational awareness. It also allows vehicles to operate with enhanced autonomy.
Advanced Navigation’s Boreas DFOG INS
Embracing a Multi-System Approach
It is critical that defence manufactures adopt a multi-system approach, integrating a suite of APNT technologies not to replace GPS, but to provide continuous, uninterrupted navigation when GPS is unavailable.
To enhance GPS-denied navigation capabilities, Advanced Navigation has developed the Laser Velocity Sensor (LVS)—a technology designed for precise and accurate velocity-aiding. LVS measures 3D velocity using laser Doppler velocimetry, offering exceptional accuracy and long-term stability compared to other sensors. Unlike conventional velocity sensors, LVS operates effectively on both ground and airborne platforms, provided it has a clear line of sight to the ground or another stationary surface.
Beyond its role as a velocity aid, LVS also enhances navigation resilience by detecting GPS spoofing. By comparing its independent velocity measurements against GPS-derived velocity, LVS adds an extra layer of security to APNT strategies. When integrated with an INS, such as Advanced Navigation’s high-end commercial fiber-optic gyroscope, the Boreas D90, LVS significantly improves navigation performance. Demonstrations with a pre-production LVS device integrated with the Boreas D90—featuring Advanced Navigation’s next-generation navigation filter—showed GPS-denied navigation performance with an error of approximately 0.05% relative to the total distance traveled.
On the battlefield, a military drone relies on an INS, combined with onboard sensors, to ensure continuous navigation. Depending on the environment and sensor performance, the INS filter dynamically adjusts its reliance on each sensor in real time. For example, when the drone enters a conflict zone where GPS may be contested, it shifts to using the gyroscope, accelerometer, and LVS to maintain positioning. Once it exits the conflict zone and GPS signals are restored, it seamlessly re-integrates GPS data.
This is one example of leveraging a multi-system approach to overcome our over-reliance on GPS technology, which has immense significance for navigating in military environments.
Defence Primes Looking To INS For Combat Efficiency
The importance of INS technology in the military can be testified in a recent deal where Advanced Navigation will supply Hanwha with over a hundred Boreas DFOG INS units.
The units will be integrated into Hanwha’s fifth generation Redback infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to ensure defence forces can respond to formidable land challenges, while providing high-level protection and mobility for soldiers.
Currently, Advanced Navigation remains one of a select few companies in the world capable of manufacturing strategic-grade FOG INS. By integrating Advanced Navigation’s INS, Hanwha’s vehicles are able to achieve unprecedented levels of autonomy and resilience without the aid of GPS.
In a separate channel, Advanced Navigation and Hanwha have agreed to co-develop a high-performance INS, to be integrated into Hanwha’s global supply chain of autonomous, airborne and crewed systems.
Hanwha’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IVF)
Cross-Border Collaboration is the Key to Defence Diplomacy
Recently, the Ukrainian-based defence forum BRAVE 1 convened global defence leaders in a wide discussion on how autonomy and robotics are reshaping the battlefield. A key takeaway was Ukraine’s ability to innovate quickly and adapt new technology. Unlike traditional procurement cycles that take years to eventuate, Ukrainian forces are accelerating advancements with real-time battlefield feedback—demanding software updates every three months to stay ahead.
This rapid iteration has enabled Ukraine to outpace adversaries. Its war efforts serve as a textbook example of how rapid technological development and adoption can push the boundaries of autonomy, navigation in EW conditions, drone swarms, and integrated defence systems. The companies and defence forces leading this charge aren’t just keeping up, they are shaping the global playbook.
The reality is many defence forces around the world face challenges when it comes to integrating new technologies. The factors range from contractual obligations and strict export controls to integration challenges and hesitancy to move on from legacy systems.
Amid ongoing political uncertainties and EW, the seismic shift happening across global defence calls for a more aggressive and strategic approach to multinational collaboration. This means building a cross-border ecosystem centred around receptiveness to innovation and interchangeability—where systems and components from different allied countries’ manufacturers can be seamlessly integrated.
As military operations grow increasingly complex and span multiple frontiers—land, air, sea and space—the need for APNT technology, such as INS, is imperative for ensuring mission success. It’s time to move beyond GPS and invest in the future of navigation, ensuring we are always a step ahead.
Precision navigation and guidance are critical to operational effectiveness across today’s battlespace. Since the Cold War, satellite-based systems such as GPS have underpinned the UK’s access to Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) data—supporting everything from precision strike to logistics. However, the proliferation of GPS jamming and spoofing, particularly in contested regions around Ukraine and the Middle East, has exposed the system’s vulnerability in the face of modern electronic warfare.
This fragility has sparked a renewed focus on resilient alternatives. In 2023, the UK government released a national PNT framework to address these challenges, recognising PNT as a vital enabler for defence, critical infrastructure, and national security. Complementary initiatives, including the National Timing Centre and the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation & Timing, are also laying the groundwork for future-proof solutions to reduce reliance on traditional GPS systems.
As threats evolve, so must our navigation capabilities. Strengthening the resilience and sovereignty of the UK’s PNT infrastructure is not just a technical necessity—it’s a strategic imperative.
The Resilience of Inertial Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments
Among APNT technologies, a highly practical and reliable solution is inertial navigation systems (INS). INS relies on the principle of dead reckoning, leveraging accelerometers, gyroscopes and sometimes magnetometers to determine an object’s position, orientation and velocity.
Unlike GPS, INS does not rely on satellite signals, which makes it indispensable for vehicles to remain operational even in the most demanding environments.
Defence-grade INS have become crucial for a range of applications. For example, it can provide precise pointing and tracking capabilities for mobile radar systems. In these scenarios, FOG-based INS are typically used, such as Advanced Navigation’s Boreas Digital Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (DFOG) INS. The in-built gyrocompass can rapidly estimate and lock in true North in both static and dynamic conditions, enabling the radar to conduct battlefield surveillance, detection and target tracking with high accuracy. These units can be easily integrated to control the radar’s orientation and maintain correct alignment, allowing operators to deploy effective countermeasures to protect personnel and critical assets.
For armoured combat vehicles, a defence-grade INS can serve as both the primary and secondary navigation aids alongside compass systems and maps. Again, using a FOG-based INS can enable continuous, real-time navigation data essential for collision avoidance, path planning and situational awareness. It also allows vehicles to operate with enhanced autonomy.
Advanced Navigation’s Boreas DFOG INS
Embracing a Multi-System Approach
It is critical that defence manufactures adopt a multi-system approach, integrating a suite of APNT technologies not to replace GPS, but to provide continuous, uninterrupted navigation when GPS is unavailable.
To enhance GPS-denied navigation capabilities, Advanced Navigation has developed the Laser Velocity Sensor (LVS)—a technology designed for precise and accurate velocity-aiding. LVS measures 3D velocity using laser Doppler velocimetry, offering exceptional accuracy and long-term stability compared to other sensors. Unlike conventional velocity sensors, LVS operates effectively on both ground and airborne platforms, provided it has a clear line of sight to the ground or another stationary surface.
Beyond its role as a velocity aid, LVS also enhances navigation resilience by detecting GPS spoofing. By comparing its independent velocity measurements against GPS-derived velocity, LVS adds an extra layer of security to APNT strategies. When integrated with an INS, such as Advanced Navigation’s high-end commercial fiber-optic gyroscope, the Boreas D90, LVS significantly improves navigation performance. Demonstrations with a pre-production LVS device integrated with the Boreas D90—featuring Advanced Navigation’s next-generation navigation filter—showed GPS-denied navigation performance with an error of approximately 0.05% relative to the total distance traveled.
On the battlefield, a military drone relies on an INS, combined with onboard sensors, to ensure continuous navigation. Depending on the environment and sensor performance, the INS filter dynamically adjusts its reliance on each sensor in real time. For example, when the drone enters a conflict zone where GPS may be contested, it shifts to using the gyroscope, accelerometer, and LVS to maintain positioning. Once it exits the conflict zone and GPS signals are restored, it seamlessly re-integrates GPS data.
This is one example of leveraging a multi-system approach to overcome our over-reliance on GPS technology, which has immense significance for navigating in military environments.
Defence Primes Looking To INS For Combat Efficiency
The importance of INS technology in the military can be testified in a recent deal where Advanced Navigation will supply Hanwha with over a hundred Boreas DFOG INS units.
The units will be integrated into Hanwha’s fifth generation Redback infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to ensure defence forces can respond to formidable land challenges, while providing high-level protection and mobility for soldiers.
Currently, Advanced Navigation remains one of a select few companies in the world capable of manufacturing strategic-grade FOG INS. By integrating Advanced Navigation’s INS, Hanwha’s vehicles are able to achieve unprecedented levels of autonomy and resilience without the aid of GPS.
In a separate channel, Advanced Navigation and Hanwha have agreed to co-develop a high-performance INS, to be integrated into Hanwha’s global supply chain of autonomous, airborne and crewed systems.
Hanwha’s Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IVF)
Cross-Border Collaboration is the Key to Defence Diplomacy
Recently, the Ukrainian-based defence forum BRAVE 1 convened global defence leaders in a wide discussion on how autonomy and robotics are reshaping the battlefield. A key takeaway was Ukraine’s ability to innovate quickly and adapt new technology. Unlike traditional procurement cycles that take years to eventuate, Ukrainian forces are accelerating advancements with real-time battlefield feedback—demanding software updates every three months to stay ahead.
This rapid iteration has enabled Ukraine to outpace adversaries. Its war efforts serve as a textbook example of how rapid technological development and adoption can push the boundaries of autonomy, navigation in EW conditions, drone swarms, and integrated defence systems. The companies and defence forces leading this charge aren’t just keeping up, they are shaping the global playbook.
The reality is many defence forces around the world face challenges when it comes to integrating new technologies. The factors range from contractual obligations and strict export controls to integration challenges and hesitancy to move on from legacy systems.
Amid ongoing political uncertainties and EW, the seismic shift happening across global defence calls for a more aggressive and strategic approach to multinational collaboration. This means building a cross-border ecosystem centred around receptiveness to innovation and interchangeability—where systems and components from different allied countries’ manufacturers can be seamlessly integrated.
As military operations grow increasingly complex and span multiple frontiers—land, air, sea and space—the need for APNT technology, such as INS, is imperative for ensuring mission success. It’s time to move beyond GPS and invest in the future of navigation, ensuring we are always a step ahead.