The British Military Technology Agency is working on the creation of a quantum navigation device, an inertial navigation system that could ensure the accuracy of determining the location at the GPS level for sea vessels without the use of external signals. This development aims to address the vulnerability of GPS to interference from attackers and dependence on satellite performance.
Modern transportation heavily relies on GPS for navigation, which is essential for preventing clashes and accurately determining location. However, the system is susceptible to interference and could be compromised by events like powerful solar flashes or deliberate attacks on satellites. Military operators often use inertial navigation technologies alongside GPS for critical tasks.
Submarines, aircraft, and cruise missiles utilize inertial guidance to compensate for the known vulnerabilities of GPS systems. While inertial guidance systems provide accurate calculations, they also have a degree of drift, affecting location accuracy over time without a clear fixation. Quantum navigation, on the other hand, offers much greater accuracy using quantum accelerometers compared to traditional gyroscopes in inertial guidance systems.
A quantum sensor developed in 2018 by researchers at the Imperial College of London uses a laser to measure the wave properties of ultra-cold atoms in a chamber. As the ship moves, the camera moves with it, causing the atoms inside to also move. Laser impulses track the movement of atoms along the frequency shift, providing an accurate recording of the ship’s acceleration.
The Quantum Sensor from the Imperial College underwent testing aboard the British research vessel XV Patrick Blackett in 2023 and was recently tested aboard the British military transport vessel Hurst Point this year. The British Ministry of Defense is optimistic about finalizing the system following the successful tests.
Chester Battervort, Deputy Director for Technology, commented on the potential of quantum technologies in addressing defense challenges and improving operational advantages. He emphasized the goal of achieving stable satellite navigation without relying on GPS through innovative navigation methods.