ANELLO Photonics and Delta Black Aerospace Collaborate on Advanced Navigation Solutions for UAVs in GPS-Denied Areas
In recent developments, ANELLO Photonics has partnered with Delta Black Aerospace to revolutionize navigation for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). This partnership emerges from the increasing demand for dependable navigation solutions in areas where GPS signals may be compromised or completely absent. The collaboration aims to leverage ANELLO's cutting-edge silicon photonic optical gyroscope technology (SiPhOG™) and integrate it into Delta Black's UAS platforms. This strategic move is driven by the growing challenges these aircraft face from GPS jamming and spoofing, which have become prevalent in contested environments.
The core of this collaboration revolves around enhancing navigational accuracy, positioning, and timing capabilities of UAS, particularly in scenarios where traditional GPS can’t be relied upon. By utilizing ANELLO's high-performance inertial navigation systems, these uncrewed aircraft will be able to maintain effective operation despite potential electronic attacks or operational limitations brought on by the surrounding terrain.
Dr. Mario Paniccia, co-founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, emphasized the critical need for robust navigation in uncrewed systems, stating, "Assured navigation without reliance on GPS is no longer optional." The integration of ANELLO’s photonic solutions is aimed at supporting sustained autonomous functions for UAS in difficult environments, thereby enhancing their effectiveness in missions that include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and contested logistics operations.
Delta Black Aerospace is recognized for crafting versatile UAS platforms tailored for high-stakes missions. This partnership with ANELLO aims to optimize solutions designed for long-range and endurance flight, enhancing overall mission continuity without the support of GPS. By focusing on the integration of advanced inertial navigation systems, both companies are set to significantly improve the resilience of UAS amidst GPS-denied airspace challenges.
As Chrissy Edwards, CIO of Delta Black Aerospace, commented, "The resilience of navigation significantly influences the mission effectiveness for uncrewed aircraft." The integration of ANELLO's technology will provide an advantage in maintaining accurate state estimations and autonomous operations, fulfilling mission needs in areas lacking reliable GPS data.
Moreover, this collaboration aligns with the Department of Defense’s goals for assured positioning, navigation, and timing, as well as resilient autonomy. This framework will facilitate the integration of distributed and multi-domain operations for uncrewed systems in a variety of operational contexts, ensuring that these platforms can perform effectively even under contested conditions.
With more than 40 issued patents and additional pending patents, ANELLO Photonics positions itself at the forefront of innovation in navigation technology. Their SiPhOG™ technology illustrates a leap forward in the field, and its application in military and defense sectors will be crucial in maintaining a tactical edge.
Through this powerful collaboration, ANELLO Photonics and Delta Black Aerospace are not only pushing the boundaries of current navigation technology but also ensuring that uncrewed aircraft can thrive in an ever-evolving operational landscape where environmental conditions often pose significant challenges. As they move forward, the success of their combined efforts could reshape the paradigms of operation for defense and autonomous systems in the years to come.