A quantum rotation sensor will be tested aboard an aircraft to keep navigation systems stable when satellite signals are deliberately jammed or spoofed. Most modern navigation—from cargo ships to passenger planes—relies on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals to stay accurate over long distances. But these signals can be lost accidentally, through criminal jamming, or as a weapon of war. In 2018, several flights off the Norwegian coast lost GNSS due to military exercises. Spoofing, where false signals mislead a vessel, has become a recognised cyberweapon. As automation increases, losing GNSS can mean lost property or lives. On-board instruments can help, but they drift over time. High-BIAS2 will test whether a quantum rotation sensor can stabilise an aircraft’s orientation without GNSS. Quantum sensors combine extreme sensitivity to motion with near-total isolation from environmental changes, offering long-term stability that conventional instruments cannot match. If successful, the technology could reduce reliance on satellite signals for navigation, providing a practical defence against jamming and spoofing. This would improve safety for aviation, shipping, and any automated system that depends on knowing where it is—and where it is going.
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Navigation using space-based satellite signals underlies many critical technologies across the UK. Most advanced navigation technologies rely on the signals from networks known as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to remain accurate over long distances. Loss of these signals result in an unstable navigation systems and increasingly less accurate location and direction estimation during operation. GNSS signals may be lost accidentally from criminal activity or due to military action. For example, in 2018 several passenger flights off the Norwegian coast lost GNSS signals due to signal 'jamming' from military exercises. In addition, 'Spoofing' or deliberately transmitting false guidance signals has been demonstrated as an insidious cyberweapon that can deliberately mislead and fool cargo or passenger vessels. As systems are increasingly automated, the consequences of the loss of GNSS signals dramatically increase and may include loss of property, or in the extreme case, loss of life. Local on-board instruments can provide measurements to stabilise current navigation system technology without GNSS signals. Quantum technology-based sensors have the potential to provide stability to navigation systems over long periods of time due to the unique combination of high sensitivity to motion with superb isolation from changes in the surrounding environment. High-BIAS2 will demonstrate the ability of a quantum rotation sensor's ability to stabilise the orientation of aircraft guidance system in the absence of GNSS signals. Local stabilisation using quantum technology will decrease the reliance of navigation systems on GNSS and provides a measure of protection against signal loss, jamming, and spoofing to increase safety and security.
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