Australian firm Q-CTRL is showcasing a next-gen quantum-based navigation tech at the Singapore Airshow 2026, targeting growing concerns over GPS disruption in aviation and defense.
The system, called IronStone Opal, is built to operate passively without relying on external radio signals, making it suitable for both civilian aircraft and sensitive military missions.
By using quantum sensor-driven magnetic navigation, it can reportedly deliver positioning that remains resilient against jamming and spoofing.
According to the company, the tech strengthens inertial navigation, boosting accuracy by more than 100 times while eliminating long-term drift.
Variants are being developed for both crewed and uncrewed platforms, supporting a wide range of operational requirements.
“Magnetic navigation has established itself as a leading GPS-alternative solution because it is passive, resilient to jamming, and capable of operating over both land and sea,” said Aaron Canciani, principal scientist at Q-CTRL.
“That ubiquitous availability is its defining feature. It works everywhere GPS works, and beyond, while remaining inherently resilient to jamming and spoofing.”
IronStone Opal in Action
At the event, Q-CTRL plans to present software visualizations, hardware samples, and live demonstrations across commercial and unmanned platforms.
One demo will show IronStone Opal maintaining bounded positioning over extended flight durations using magnetic map matching.
Another will test the system on Class II drones, highlighting its compact form factor and readiness for wider deployment.
The company will also outline its collaborations with major defense and aerospace partners, including the US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin.
With GPS disruptions in the US alone projected to cost nearly $1 billion per day, Q-CTRL positions Ironstone Opal as a potential alternative for operators seeking more resilient and autonomous navigation capabilities.
