Airborne navigation without GNSS is the aim of a MoU (memorandum of understanding) signed between Australian ground observation hardware (right) company Advanced Navigation, and UK-based positioning software company Nileq, which has patent-pending technology that uses neuromorphic computing to match live scans of the terrain below to an existing database of the Earth’s surface (below).

Advanced Navigation ground bservation hardware OIepSTLw
AdvancedN Nileq navigation by pattern matching

“In an increasingly uncertain world where interference is becoming ubiquitous, commercial and military sectors can no longer rely purely on GNSS for flight operations,” according to Sydney-based Advanced Navigation. “The agreement will see the companies foster joint research and technology development between the United Kingdom and Australia. The co-developed solution will provide resilient absolute positioning for a multitude of airborne platforms.”

The final solution is aimed at UAS (un-crewed air systems) for BVLOS (beyond visual line-of-sight) operations “as the solution overcomes many of the conventional limitations of airborne image-based navigation technologies”, it claimed. “This is of heightened importance at a time when geopolitical conflicts, and the jamming and spoofing of GPS signals are simultaneously on the rise.”

A practical demonstration is planed for Australia.

Nileq has been incubated by MBDA, a multi-national group intended to support the national sovereignty of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. It is owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).