£1 billion GPS disruption risk prompts Royal Navy quantum navigation testing

The Royal Navy has pushed its satellite-free navigation ambitions into the High North, conducting Arctic trials of quantum navigation technology in partnership with Imperial College London.

As disclosed, the test is the latest step in a year-long effort to turn quantum-enhanced inertial sensors from a physics experiment into a real-world technology.

Quantum sensors developed at Imperial College London harness quantum phenomena, specifically the wave-like behaviour of ultra-cold atoms, to measure acceleration and rotation with exceptional precision. By combining these measurements with a known starting point, a vessel or platform can calculate its position throughout a journey without ever needing to transmit or receive external signals.

This approach delivers high accuracy, long-term stability, and strong resilience against jamming and spoofing. By contrast, GPS has well-known limitations: it does not function underground or underwater, its signals can be blocked by tall buildings or severe weather, and it is vulnerable to remote interference, jamming, and spoofing.

The economic stakes are significant, with estimates suggesting that just one day of GPS denial could cost the UK economy more than £1 billion, the officials noted.

Dr Joseph Cotter, lead scientist for the project, working across the Department of Physics and Department of Materials, said: “In the lab our quantum sensors perform extremely well, which is why we’re so excited about their potential for inertial navigation. The Arctic field trial lets us test how these devices perform in unpredictable environments, and helps us work out what we still need to do to make them shock resistant, and able to withstand life at sea.”

The first Imperial quantum sensors for navigation were demonstrated in 2018, and first deployed aboard the Royal Navy research ship the XV Patrick Blackett in 2023. 

Commander Matt Steele, Royal Navy, SO1 Future Technology for the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO), stated: “As Head of Futures in the DCTO, I am delighted that Dr Joseph Cotter’s team at Imperial College London was able to test its revised Quantum Inertial Navigation Sensing (INS) technology, onboard MV Anvil Point. This experiment builds on previous sea trials, using the RoRo fleet and the DCTO’s quantum Navy POD, which has enabled iterative development and performance improvements to the sensor.”

Earlier this year, the Royal Navy deployed quantum technology in a milestone trial on uncrewed submarine XV Excalibur. P2000 patrol ship also took part in a test, with the RN’s Office of the Chief of Technology Officer (OCTO) for the RN working with UK quantum technology company Aquark Technologies. 

The trial involved the company’s miniature cold atom systems, founded on Aquark’s unique laser-cooling method, known as supermolasses. This method to generate cold atoms does not need an applied magnetic field, therefore reducing the size, weight, power consumption and cost of sensors.

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