SandboxAQ has flight-tested its AQNav quantum and magnetic navigation system on Northrop Grumman’s Lumberjack attritable unmanned aircraft system, completing the demonstration on Wednesday. The trial paired magnetic navigation with visual navigation on a one-way attack platform and was integrated into the aircraft in less than an hour, according to the companies.
The test targeted GPS-denied operations, using Earth-magnetic-field sensing to provide navigation where satellite signals are unavailable or jammed. SandboxAQ described the system as software-first and hardware-agnostic, designed to run on existing onboard computing infrastructure. The company also positioned AQNav for use over open water and in other environments where conventional positioning tools can fail.
Northrop Grumman’s Lumberjack is a Group 3 attritable UAS designed for expendable or high-risk missions. The demonstration adds to SandboxAQ’s earlier flight-test work with defence and aviation partners and extends the use of alternative positioning, navigation and timing technologies for military autonomy.