The Royal Navy and Imperial College London are testing a prototype quantum sensor that could provide GPS-free navigation. The quantum accelerometer, developed by Imperial College London, measures an object’s speed over time and uses ultracold atoms for highly accurate measurements. The technology could make navigation less susceptible to jamming, imitation, or sabotage. The partnership between NavyX, the navy’s technology and experimentation experts, and Imperial College London is in its early stages.
The partnership between NavyX and Imperial College London
Commander Michael Hutchinson, Commanding Officer of XV Patrick Blackett, expressed excitement about the partnership between NavyX, the navy’s technology and experimentation experts, and Imperial College London. The collaboration is in its early stages but represents a significant step forward in developing quantum technology for navigation purposes.
Quantum Sensor for GPS-Free Navigation
The technology being developed has the potential to provide GPS-free navigation, making it less susceptible to jamming, imitation, or other forms of sabotage. A prototype quantum sensor, created by academics at Imperial College London, was tested on the Royal Navy experimentation and trials ship XV Patrick Blackett. The testing has gone well so far, but the technology is still very early.
How the Quantum Sensor Works
Unlike many navigation systems that rely on global satellite systems like GPS, the quantum sensor is a new type of accelerometer that measures how an object’s speed changes over time. By combining this information with rotation measurements and the object’s initial position, the current location can be calculated. Conventional accelerometers, used in devices like mobile phones and laptops, cannot maintain accuracy over more extended periods without external reference.
Quantum Accelerometer’s Highly Accurate Measurements
The quantum accelerometer uses ultracold atoms to make highly accurate measurements. When cooled to extremely low temperatures, the atoms display their ‘quantum’ nature, resulting in wave-like properties. As the atoms move through the sensor, an ‘optical ruler’ is formed using a series of laser pulses, allowing the acceleration of the atoms to be precisely measured.
Real-World Applications and Testing
The experiment by Imperial College London and the Royal Navy is the first step towards understanding the application and use of quantum-enabled navigation in areas with poor or no satellite coverage. Dr Joseph Cotter, the lead scientist on the quantum sensor from the Department of Physics at Imperial, said that access to the Patrick Blackett provides a unique opportunity to take quantum sensors out of the lab and into real-world environments where they are needed. The sensor was used in a Qinetiq-developed Navy PODS (Persistent Operational Deployment System) – interchangeable modules that can be loaded onto different vessels to provide extra space for technology and kit for specific operational tasking.
Commander Michael Hutchinson, Commanding Officer of XV Patrick Blackett, said: “Working with Imperial College London on this project has been an exciting and interesting opportunity for all of us. The partnership between NavyX, the navy’s technology and experimentation experts, and Imperial College London is in early stages but is a big step forward. The technology has the potential to provide GPS-free navigation, making it less susceptible to jamming, imitation or other sabotage. A prototype quantum sensor developed by Imperial College London academics was used on Royal Navy experimentation and trials ship XV Patrick Blackett. “So far, the testing has gone well but the technology is still very early. It’s great to be a part of Royal Navy history.”
Dr Joseph Cotter, the lead scientist on the quantum sensor from the Department of Physics at Imperial, said: “Access to the Patrick Blackett provides us with a unique opportunity to take quantum sensors out of the lab and into the real-world environments, where they are needed.”
Executive summary
A prototype quantum sensor developed by Imperial College London has been tested on a Royal Navy ship, offering the potential for GPS-free navigation that is less susceptible to jamming or sabotage. The quantum accelerometer uses ultracold atoms to make highly accurate measurements, providing a possible solution for navigation in areas with poor or no satellite coverage.
- A partnership between NavyX, the navy’s technology and experimentation experts, and Imperial College London is working on a quantum sensor for GPS-free navigation.
- The quantum sensor, developed by academics at Imperial College London, was tested on Royal Navy experimentation and trials ship XV Patrick Blackett.
- The technology aims to provide navigation less susceptible to jamming, imitation, or sabotage.
- Unlike conventional navigation systems that rely on global satellite systems like GPS, the quantum sensor is a new type of accelerometer that measures an object’s speed changes over time.
- The quantum accelerometer uses ultracold atoms to make highly accurate measurements, allowing for precise calculation of an object’s current location.
- The experiment is the first step towards understanding the application and use of quantum-enabled navigation in areas with poor or no satellite coverage.
- Dr Joseph Cotter, the lead scientist on the quantum sensor from the Department of Physics at Imperial, highlights the unique opportunity to test quantum sensors in real-world environments.
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