SandboxAQ has successfully tested its quantum sensor-based magnetic anomaly navigation system with the U.S. Air Force, completing test flights eight months ahead of schedule. The system provides an alternative to GPS, ensuring uninterrupted navigation when GPS is unavailable or compromised. Quantum sensors are highly sensitive to changes in electric and magnetic fields, allowing for improved navigation accuracy in various conditions. SandboxAQ’s system could benefit military operations, commercial transport, autonomous vehicles, and underwater or underground exploration.
SandboxAQ Tests Quantum Navigation System with U.S. Air Force
SandboxAQ has successfully tested its quantum sensor-based magnetic anomaly navigation system with the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The test flights were conducted at Travis Air Force Base by the 60th Air Mobility Wing as part of an ongoing effort to develop an Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solution to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS). The goal is to provide uninterrupted navigation when GPS is unavailable, intentionally denied, or spoofed.
In January 2023, the USAF awarded SandboxAQ a Direct-to-Phase-II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to research quantum navigation technologies. Maj. Patrick Morgan, Wing Tactics, emphasized the need for GPS alternatives, stating that it is crucial to have another solution to ensure mission continuity and the safe return of Airmen to the base.
During Exercise Golden Phoenix, SandboxAQ’s quantum navigation prototype was installed aboard a USAF C-17 GlobeMaster III military transport aircraft. The system received geomagnetic navigation data on the ground and during multiple in-flight tests, completing its test flight milestones eight months ahead of schedule.
Quantum Navigation System Offers Resilient Global Navigation
Resilient global navigation is essential for military operations and for improving the safety and geospatial accuracy of commercial transport, business and leisure travel, autonomous vehicles, underwater or underground exploration, and more. Jen Sovada, Global Public Sector President at SandboxAQ, expressed pride in the quantum navigation system’s performance during its first in-flight test and looks forward to the next phase with the USAF and other partners.
Quantum sensors are highly sensitive to even the slightest changes in electric and magnetic fields. SandboxAQ’s system captures signals from Earth’s magnetic field, which acts as an unchangeable global “fingerprint,” and compares the signals to existing map data to enhance overall positional awareness. The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to filter out “noise” generated by aeroplanes or other vehicles, greatly improving signal processing speed and accuracy.
“Resilient global navigation is a mission-critical capability for military operations, but also for improving the safety and geospatial accuracy of commercial transport, business and leisure travel, autonomous vehicles, underwater or underground exploration, and more,”
Jen Sovada, Global Public Sector President at SandboxAQ
Key Features of SandboxAQ’s Quantum Navigation System
SandboxAQ’s quantum navigation system offers several key features, including:
- Unjammable Worldwide Signal: Earth’s magnetic field is omnipresent and unjammable, providing unfettered access and a persistent, trusted signal from any location.
- All-Weather: Quantum sensors are not influenced by clouds or lighting conditions, making them an effective complement to other navigation techniques.
- Terrain Agnostic: Quantum navigation does not require visual ground features, making it a valuable tool for navigation in the air, over open water, on remote terrain, even underwater or underground.
- Passive Technology: Quantum sensors passively receive geomagnetic data and do not emit or reflect any signals, which helps reduce a vehicle’s detectability.
- Improved Global Magnetic Mapping: Sharing data generated by quantum sensors has the potential to enhance global magnetic maps for a variety of stakeholders and use cases.
SandboxAQ is an enterprise SaaS company that provides solutions at the nexus of AI and Quantum technology (AQ) to address some of the world’s greatest challenges. The company’s core team and inspiration formed at Alphabet Inc., emerging as an independent, growth-capital-backed company in 2022.
For more information about SandboxAQ’s quantum sensing solutions, including its advanced quantum navigation system, please visit https://www.sandboxaq.com/solutions/quantum-sensing.
“The need for GPS-alternatives is critical,” said Maj. Patrick Morgan, Wing Tactics. “If we’re executing a mission where GPS is not available, it’s important to have another solution to ensure mission continuity and ensure a safe exit and return to base for our Airmen.”
“We’re incredibly proud that our quantum navigation system performed admirably in its first in-flight test, and we look forward to the next phase with the USAF and other partners.”
Jen Sovada, Global Public Sector President at SandboxAQ
SandboxAQ has successfully tested its quantum sensor-based magnetic anomaly navigation system with the U.S. Air Force, providing a resilient and accurate alternative to GPS. The system uses Earth’s magnetic field and artificial intelligence algorithms to improve navigation in various conditions, including underwater and underground environments.
- SandboxAQ successfully tested its quantum sensor-based magnetic anomaly navigation system with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) at Travis Air Force Base.
- The quantum navigation system is part of an effort to develop an Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solution to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS).
- The USAF awarded SandboxAQ a Direct-to-Phase-II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in January 2023 to research quantum navigation technologies.
- Maj. Patrick Morgan of Wing Tactics emphasized the need for GPS alternatives for mission continuity and safety.
- SandboxAQ’s quantum navigation prototype was installed on a USAF C-17 GlobeMaster III military transport aircraft and completed test flight milestones eight months ahead of schedule.
- Jen Sovada, Global Public Sector President at SandboxAQ, highlighted the importance of resilient global navigation for military operations and commercial transport.
- Quantum sensors are highly sensitive to changes in electric and magnetic fields, providing unjammable, all-weather, terrain-agnostic, and passive navigation technology.
- SandboxAQ’s system uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to filter out noise and improve signal processing speed and accuracy.
- The company was formed at Alphabet Inc. and became an independent, growth-capital-backed company in 2022.