December 9, 2020 | International, C4ISR

Rafael hopes quantum technology can help in GPS-denied environments

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been investing in quantum technology in the hopes that it will improve existing sensors on the battlefield and could lead to a solution for GPS-denied environments.

Because the technology is linked to better positioning, navigation and time-keeping, company leaders said they believe it could “revolutionize” this space. Alternative means of PNT have become a priority for militaries throughout the world as jammers become less expensive and more ubiquitous while the reliance on PNT information increases.

In particular, Rafael executives are encouraged that “extremely high-performance quantum accelerometers and gyroscopes can be designed to be the basis of the next generation inertial navigation systems,” a company official said. These sensors can exploit the quantum properties of atoms to measure acceleration and angular rates with unprecedented accuracy, which, in turn, allows for “dead-reckoning navigation for relatively long periods of time while essentially keeping GPS/GNSS accuracy.”

Rafael's team working on quantum technology, which includes Alon Gabbay, head of miniature quantum sensors group of the Manor division and Nitzan Link, of the CTO Technology Center of the Manor Division of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, were among those who discussed the potential for the technology with Defense News.

Quantum technology is about sensors that “measure discrete energy levels and difference in change with magnetic or electric fields,” a Rafael official said. The struggle for engineers has been that while this technology has existed for decades, particularly in university labs, miniaturizing it and using it in defense systems is a challenge.

While Rafael is traditionally Israel's research and development arm for new weapon systems, it is also the company behind the Trophy defense system, Litening targeting pod and Iron Dome air defense technologies. Rafael has also rolled out new digitized battlefield concepts and used optics to better match scenes and leverage artificial intelligence.

“Quantum technologies can give rise to ultra-sensitive gravitational and magnetic measurements, hence opening the possibility of using anomaly maps to aid inertial navigation,” a company official told Defense News. “Atomic clocks use quantum technologies to provide highly stable and accurate frequency standards; the resulting technology can be used for time-keeping opening new possibilities for using communications as an aid to an integrated navigation system.”

https://www.c4isrnet.com/industry/2020/12/08/rafael-hopes-quantum-technology-can-help-in-gps-denied-environments/

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November 15, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Land

Belarus to develop missile systems, combat drones with eye on rising global tensions
By: Jarosław Adamowski WARSAW, Poland — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the country's defense industry to develop missile systems to boost its military's strike capabilities as well as combat unmanned aerial vehicles to reinforce its air force, according to Roman Golovchenko, the chairman of the Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee. “Conflicts come to life in various continents. Tensions between superpowers are on the rise. This is why, certainly, there is demand for defensive weapons," Golovchenko told the state-run news agency BelTA. “The Belarusian defense industry is ready to satisfy the demand. I hope the R&D products the head of state has approved will allow us to hit our targets.” Golovchenko said that the Polonez multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) is the first missile system to be completed by the Belarusian defense industry, and Lukashenko "has given instructions to develop this sphere in the future" as a "key" field of the country's military R&D. Belarus is a member of the Russia-backed Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which is designed as a counterbalance to NATO. However, Minsk is also developing military cooperation with various countries outside the organization in a bid to mark its independence from Moscow and bolster ties with like-minded governments. Earlier this year, Azerbaijan signed a contract with Belarus to acquire the Polonez missile systems in response to Armenia's purchase of Iskander missiles from Russia. Minsk has also agreed to supply four Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters to Serbia, a non-member observer state to the CSTO, and the two countries were reportedly in talks over the potential sale of S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Belgrade. In addition to this, Belarus has announced projects to jointly produce drones with China and Turkmenistan, among others. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/11/14/belarus-to-develop-missile-systems-combat-drones-with-eye-on-rising-global-tensions
July 10, 2024 | International, Aerospace

McConnell-based KC-46 completes round-the-world flight in 45 hours
A KC-46A tanker from McConnell AFB completed a record round-the-globe sortie in 45 hours, a mission that saw multiple aerial refuelings — and a birthday.
September 18, 2018 | International, Aerospace

Ignition et Airbus s’allient pour fournir les drones de la Défense belge
Par Benoit Gilson Ignition - la coentreprise entre Sonaca et Sabena Aerospace créée dans le sillage de Lockheed pour le marché de remplacement des F-16 belges – s'est alliée avec Airbus pour proposer le drone Heron TP allemand à la Défense belge. Une proposition qui concerne l'équipement immédiat en drones, mais aussi, à terme, une participation de la Belgique à son successeur, l'EuroDrone. Afin de remplacer ses vieux drones B-Hunter, la Défense belge a prévu l'acquisition pour 226 millions d'euros de deux systèmes de drones MALE (Moyenne Altitude Longue Endurance) composés chacun de deux drones. La Belgique prévoit également l'achat ultérieur (à l'horizon 2029-2030) de 4 drones supplémentaires dans le cadre d'un programme européens. Le SkyGuardian de General Atomics semblait favori pour la première phase mais Airbus entend bien y croire jusqu'au bout en proposant une solution européenne basée sur le Heron TP, un appareil israélien à l'origine qu'Airbus adapte et certifie pour le compte du ministère de la Défense allemand. L'appareil serait livrable en 2021, comme requis par la Défense belge, et est proposé avec plusieurs formules d'acquisitions possibles dans le cadre d'un accord d'Etat à Etat entre la Belgique et l'Allemagne. Une offre qui compte aussi désormais un volet belge puisqu'Airbus s'est allié à Ignition dans le cadre de la création en Belgique d'un centre de compétences et de vol pour les drones. Mais la proposition d'Airbus ne se limite pas au présent marché. Le géant européen propose qu'Airbus et Ignition travaillent à l'avenir ensemble pour favoriser le développement de nouvelles compétences en Belgique à travers de la participation au programme EuroDrones, lui-même une des pièces du programme Scaf (Système de Combat Aérien du Futur). Un programme Scaf qui est également un des enjeux du marché de remplacement des F-16 belges. Dans l'hypothèse où la Belgique achèterait un appareil européen – Rafale ou Eurofighter – elle pourrait obtenir son ticket d'entrée dans le programme Scaf. Une perspective s'éloignerait si la Belgique venait à choisir le F-35 de Lockheed. http://www.air-cosmos.com/ignition-et-airbus-s-allient-pour-fournir-les-drones-de-la-defense-belge-115037

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Rafael hopes quantum technology can help in GPS-denied environments

On the same subject

McConnell-based KC-46 completes round-the-world flight in 45 hours A KC-46A tanker from McConnell AFB completed a record round-the-globe sortie in 45 hours, a mission that saw multiple aerial refuelings — and a birthday.

McConnell-based KC-46 completes round-the-world flight in 45 hours
A KC-46A tanker from McConnell AFB completed a record round-the-globe sortie in 45 hours, a mission that saw multiple aerial refuelings — and a birthday.