Defense Innovation Unit tests GPS-free quantum navigation system

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has successfully tested a quantum navigation system, known as MagNav, during a four-hour and 23-minute flight over the Pacific Ocean. Using an Embraer 170 aircraft, the test route traveled from Seattle’s Puget Sound to southern Alaska and back without the use of GPS.

Developed by Honeywell Aerospace, the MagNav system utilizes quantum sensors to map the Earth’s natural magnetic field to provide navigation references. This method is designed to be resistant to spoofing or blocking by hostile forces. The prototype reportedly improved position accuracy by 89% compared to traditional backup methods, such as inertial sensors that are prone to drifting over time.

A key feature of the test was the ability to stream navigation data to pilots in real time via standard tablets, meaning the technology can be implemented without requiring a full redesign of aircraft cockpits. Following this success, the DIU and Honeywell plan a follow-on demonstration using a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to test the sensors in a larger, more operational setting.