Australian quantum tech firm Q-CTRL is moving closer to GPS-free navigation by turning to gravity.
In a recent field trial with the Royal Australian Navy, the company’s “software-ruggedized” quantum sensors operated aboard the MV Sycamore for 144 hours, navigating the ocean by detecting shifts in Earth’s gravity.
Instead of relying on satellite signals, the sensors compared these gravitational changes against known gravity maps, allowing a computer to determine position and navigate areas without the need for a GPS.
This process is similar to orienteering, where physical landmarks help pinpoint a location on a map.
“Quantum sensors provide a near-term opportunity to achieve transformational defense capabilities, but previous deployments in the field have struggled to deliver defense-relevant performance,” Q-CTRL Founder Michael J. Biercuk stated.
The company said its sensors stayed operational despite the ship’s motion and vibration, overcoming a key obstacle for deploying quantum sensors in real-world settings.
A Growing Threat to Navigation
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital Gulf passage for 20 percent of the world’s oil exports, has long been a hotspot for GPS disruption.
Since mid-June, an estimated 970 ships passing through the area each day have been hit with “spoofed” GPS signals, raising broader concerns about maritime security.
Q-CTRL’s quantum sensing tech offers a physics-based workaround, providing an alternative to naval navigation and ensuring it stays accurate even when GPS signals are compromised.“
Amid heightened cases of GPS denial, field-validated quantum sensors are more important than ever for navigational safety,” said Deep Tech Vice President Jean-Francois Bobier.
