The US Division of Protection’s (DoD) Protection Innovation Unit (DIU) has chosen Honeywell to participate within the Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) programme.
The programme is designed to expedite the combination of quantum sensors to fulfil wants in different place, navigation and timing (PNT), in addition to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) duties for the US Joint Forces Command.
Honeywell will contribute to the TQS programme beneath two DOD contracts, specifically Compact Rubidium Unit for Inertial Sensing and Estimation (CRUISE) and Quantum Enabled Sensor Applied sciences for MagNav (QUEST).
Honeywell Aerospace Applied sciences Navigation and Sensors vice chairman and normal supervisor Matt Picchetti stated: “With the rising risk of jamming and spoofing, plane and naval vessels on vital missions can now not rely solely on GPS. Quantum sensors have the potential to reinforce current navigation options, serving to pilots function with higher confidence. Honeywell’s pedigree in fielded sensors and navigation options present us with a singular perspective to make sure the know-how is viable past the laboratory.”
The CRUISE initiative is a collaborative effort between the DoD and Vector Atomic to develop quantum sensor-equipped Inertial Measurement Models (IMUs).
These items are designed to supply a standalone navigation system that doesn’t rely on World Navigation Satellite tv for pc Techniques (GNSS), that are susceptible to interference and deception techniques, stated the corporate.
Honeywell’s position on this contract entails aiding within the creation of this quantum-sensor-based know-how, which is able to facilitate acceleration and orientation measurements from a vehicle-mounted IMU to establish positional and velocity alterations.
The anticipated end result is a product that surpasses present efficiency requirements whereas decreasing dimension, weight, and energy consumption.
The QUEST programme’s objective is to reinforce magnetic anomaly navigation (MagNav), another navigation methodology unbiased of GNSS that employs quantum magnetometers to measure Earth’s magnetic discipline for navigational functions.
The DoD intends to refine these quantum magnetometers and validate their effectiveness in eventualities the place GNSS is unavailable.
Honeywell plans to leverage its data in navigation options by creating algorithms that use these sensors to spice up precision.
“As quantum sensor-based navigation know-how matures, we consider it not solely has the potential to displace current applied sciences however can even be a critical disruptor to the inertial and magnetic sensor industries. Most significantly, it might enhance navigation in high-stakes environments – enhancing security, effectivity and total mission success for the DoD,” Picchetti added.
