Lockheed Martin, Q-CTRL and AOSense are collaborating to develop navigation systems for GPS jamming environments

Lockheed Martin announced that it has won a DIU contract to build a prototype of the Quantum Inertial Navigation System (QuINS) to provide accurate navigation without GPS (providing precise position, attitude and heading information for any moving vehicle in the absence of GNSS or poor signal), addressing the impact of interference environments.

Lockheed will work with Q-CTRL to develop quantum control technology and with AOSense to develop high-performance quantum sensors, hoping to transform quantum navigation from research to real-world applications.

The initial phase of the contract will test QuINS under real conditions with the aim of enhancing military navigation and potentially providing a technology base for future civilian navigation technologies.

Lockheed Martin announced in a recent update that the company has secured a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Office to develop a prototype of the Quantum Inertial Navigation System, or QuINS. The system is expected to provide precise position tracking independent of GPS, a critical capability in adversarial environments where satellite navigation is unavailable or unreliable.

Quantum Sensing for Navigation (Quantum Sensor Navigation)
QuINS uses quantum sensing technology to measure motion with extremely high precision, calculating position, speed, and direction based on internal measurements rather than external signals. This approach addresses a major limitation of modern navigation systems, which currently rely on GPS and are susceptible to interference or signal loss. By employing ultra-sensitive quantum sensors, QuINS can maintain navigation accuracy in environments where GPS is unavailable, offering a significant advantage for military applications.
Dr. Valerie Browning, Vice President of Research and Technology at Lockheed Martin, stated in the company announcement: "Our goal is to mature this innovative technology and move quantum sensors from the lab to real-world national security needs. To date, our investments in technologies like quantum sensing have helped us maintain a leading position in future defense challenges."