The Royal Navy recently completed successful trials of a revolutionary quantum-powered navigation technology. The innovation, deemed “un-jammable,” was tested aboard HMS Pursuer, demonstrating capabilities that promise to secure naval operations in scenarios where GPS signals may be compromised or entirely unavailable.
These tests, which involved the cutting-edge cold atom technology developed by UK-based firm Aquark Technologies, mark a significant step in addressing the growing threat of GPS vulnerability. The technology holds the potential to transform not only navigation but also covert monitoring, as it operates independently of GPS signals. This breakthrough comes as military forces worldwide contend with the reality that electronic warfare tactics, including GPS jamming, could become prominent in future conflicts.
On October 31, the Royal Navy lauded the progress made through collaboration between its Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and Aquark Technologies, a leader in quantum technology. This partnership has allowed the two entities to explore and refine cold atom systems designed for highly accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) even in the absence of GPS signals.
The core of this new navigational leap lies in Aquark Technologies’ advanced “supermolasses” laser cooling technique. This method utilizes laser-based cooling to reduce atomic movement within the system, ensuring superior stability and accuracy in position tracking. Unlike conventional cooling techniques, which rely on magnetic fields, the supermolasses approach achieves the same effect without them. This advance not only improves the accuracy of the device but also minimizes its size, weight, and power consumption—critical improvements for its use aboard naval vessels and potentially other mobile military platforms.
The Royal Navy’s quantum navigation trials come at a time when reliance on GPS is becoming an increasingly high-stakes vulnerability. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, global powers have taken note of the importance of resilient, GPS-independent navigation. Military experts caution that the electronic warfare landscape is shifting, and future conflicts may not rely on traditional combat. Instead, tactics such as signal jamming and cyber warfare are expected to dominate the battleground.
In line with these concerns, the UK has accelerated the development of quantum-powered navigation solutions. The Royal Navy’s trials aboard the HMS Pursuer showcase an early example of the UK’s commitment to maintaining navigational integrity in compromised settings. This effort aligns with the National Quantum Strategy, particularly Mission 4, which aims to establish robust quantum navigation systems across various military platforms by 2030.
Jamming GPS systems is becoming an increasingly viable tactic in modern warfare. The method involves broadcasting strong, ground-based signals on the same frequencies as GPS signals, which are transmitted from satellites orbiting 12,500 miles above the Earth. Given the relatively weak strength of satellite signals upon reaching the Earth’s surface, jamming is a feasible threat. Reports indicate that Russia has deployed GPS jamming tactics in sensitive areas, including the Baltic Sea, signaling a potential shift in electronic warfare strategies that other nations may adopt.
Cold atom technology could prove critical in bypassing the vulnerabilities inherent in satellite-reliant navigation systems. Aquark Technologies’ cold atom technology enables the precise tracking of movement without satellite support, addressing the increasingly apparent risks associated with electronic warfare. In recent years, this technology has seen significant investment, with Aquark Technologies securing €5 million in seed funding earlier this year. This funding, led by the NATO Innovation Fund and MBDA—a defense consortium involving major industry players like Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo—is dedicated to advancing quantum systems for defense applications.
In a recent statement, Andrei Dragomir, CEO of Aquark Technologies, emphasized the importance of the Royal Navy trials as a “validation of real-world applications for cold atom technology.” Dragomir expressed optimism that these trials bring the company closer to deploying fully operational quantum systems for defense, with continued funding set to drive further refinement and testing.
Quantum navigation technology is proving adaptable across various domains beyond naval applications. Earlier this year, the UK achieved a milestone in aviation by completing the first flight trial of a quantum-powered navigation system, referred to as Quantum Inertial Navigation System (Q-INS). Developed by a coalition of aerospace and quantum technology firms, the Q-INS technology incorporates atomic clocks and ultra-cold atom-based systems to accurately track motion. This system functions independently of GPS, making it ideal for use in GPS-denied settings, such as combat zones where electronic warfare tactics may be in use.
The UK’s National Quantum Strategy envisions extensive applications for this technology, which could extend to submarines, space navigation, and even self-driving vehicles in areas where GPS signals are inherently unreliable or inconsistent. The continued advancement of cold atom technology for military navigation aligns with the UK’s strategic resilience goals, aimed at ensuring operational security in increasingly challenging environments.
The implications of quantum technology on military navigation extend beyond simple resilience against GPS interference. Henry White, Sensing Technology Lead at BAE Systems, has highlighted the potential for quantum-powered navigation systems to transform next-generation military capabilities. According to White, quantum technology could yield unprecedented precision in location tracking, offering “a strategic advantage in maintaining situational awareness and securing asset locations without reliance on external signals.”
The ability to accurately locate assets and sensors in GPS-denied conditions is a major advantage in tactical settings. Quantum navigation could also impact the design and functionality of future military platforms, providing enhanced data reliability and situational awareness in combat air systems, naval operations, and ground-based military vehicles.
As electronic warfare evolves, quantum-powered navigation is set to become a cornerstone of modern defense strategies. The trials aboard HMS Pursuer have showcased the potential for cold atom technology to offer secure, GPS-independent navigation solutions. Given the ongoing concerns about GPS vulnerabilities in conflict zones, the ability to operate in “GPS-denied environments” is a valuable asset for any military force.
The Royal Navy’s investment in this technology marks a significant advancement in military capability, positioning the UK as a leader in the application of quantum navigation for defense. With successful trials demonstrating the viability of cold atom technology, continued research and development will likely focus on refining the system for wider deployment across military platforms.
The UK’s National Quantum Strategy outlines ambitious plans to integrate quantum navigation systems on aircraft, with the goal of achieving full deployment by 2030. This initiative, part of a larger defense modernization effort, underscores the UK’s proactive stance on securing strategic technological advantages in the face of potential electronic warfare threats.
The success of the HMS Pursuer trials also suggests broader applications of cold atom technology beyond military navigation. In addition to enhancing submarine and air operations, cold atom technology could benefit civilian applications in fields where GPS reliability is compromised, such as autonomous vehicles and commercial aviation in remote areas.
