42 Technology (42T) and Omnisense have demonstrated a safer autonomous drone landing system when GNSS signals are unreliable.
The system uses a ground-based ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning technology. It was developed by Omnisense through its European Space Agency-supported DroneHome program.
Autonomous landing is a safety-critical phase for drone missions, particularly challenging when GNSS is impaired due to signal obstruction, reflection or interference (near tall buildings, in busy ports, or inside tunnels).
The DroneHome program uses terrestrial radio positioning as a complementary navigation layer within the overall navigation system, so a drone’s position remains stable and predictable even in GNSS-challenged environments. In practice, this means autonomous systems can maintain controlled behavior instead of experiencing sudden navigation failures.
One of the key technical challenges was extending the operational range of UWB positioning to make it viable for autonomous landing. 42T worked closely with Omnisense to design and develop the extended-range RF hardware used in both the ground infrastructure and airborne elements of the system. The front-end design incorporates a UWB system-on-chip with low noise amplification, power amplification, switching, and antenna integration to deliver the required range and performance.
Field trials and simulation-based analysis confirmed that the system maintained stable positioning within a defined envelope during GNSS-degraded operation, enabling reliable autonomous approach and landing.
The results from Omnisense’s DroneHome program are directly relevant across a wide range of applications, including airborne, terrestrial and maritime operations, infrastructure inspection, and autonomous systems operating in GNSS-challenged environments.
DroneHome was a focused development and validation programme exploring extended-range terrestrial positioning for autonomous navigation applications. The project was led by Omnisense in collaboration with Mozaero and supported by ESA under the NAVISP program.
The USX51 Computing Power Flight Controller by UTMSYS is a system architecture that combines the Pixhawk 6X flight controller with the D Robotics RDK X5 edge-computing module.
According to the development team, the goal of the USX51 platform is not only to provide hardware, but to simplify complex UAV system integration for developers, research teams, and robotics engineers working on real world deployment scenarios.
The USX51 system integrates Pixhawk 6X and RDK X5 to support PX4-based UAV development for GNSS-denied, VTOL, and multi-sensor applications.
The system is designed to support PX4-based UAV development while separating real-time flight control tasks from high compute perception workloads. This decoupled architecture helps maintain flight stability while allowing developers to expand into vision based and autonomous applications.
The USX51 supports development scenarios including:
GNSS-denied navigation
VTOL mission platforms
Multi-sensor integration
Visual perception and tracking
ROS2-based robotics workflows
Research and autonomous UAV development
Credit: UTMSYS
The Pixhawk 6X handles flight critical control functions, while the RDK X5 module provides onboard computing capability for visual processing, sensor fusion, and autonomous related workloads.
The system also provides multiple communication interfaces including Ethernet, CAN, UART and I2C, allowing developers to integrate cameras, thermal modules, lidar systems, and additional peripherals into their UAV projects.
Current ecosystem development around USX51 includes PX4 integration, ROS2 workflows, developer testing programs, and community based project collaboration.
The U.S. commercial drone industry is at an inflection point. After years of incremental progress, the FAA’s landmark Part 108 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule is expected to take effect later this year, unlocking a new era of scaled commercial drone operations across delivery, infrastructure inspection, public safety, perimeter protection and beyond. It’s a pivotal moment for drone operators to get ahead of the most significant regulatory shift the commercial drone industry has seen.
Today, AirData UAV announced it is joining the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), bringing its operational platform into the industry’s broadest coalition for drone policy and progress. As a member of the CDA, AirData will actively contribute to the policies and standards that will define the next chapter of the U.S. drone economy through the CDA.
Part 108 introduces sweeping new operational requirements across pre-, during and post-flight documentation, personnel roles, risk-categorized operational areas, and mandatory continuous data reporting, and AirData’s platform is already built to meet them.
“We are at a critical moment for the drone economy,” said Lisa Ellman, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “As the industry moves toward broader BVLOS operations and frameworks like Part 108, access to scalable, reliable operational data such as that which AirData provides will help to safely unlock the full potential of the drone economy.”
Credit: AirData UAV
AirData’s platform delivers the tools operators will need to meet Part 108’s requirements, including: checklists, automated compliance documentation, flight logging across every mission, and fleet-wide analytics that give program managers visibility into operational risk. With more than 61 million flights across 450,000 pilots and 850,000 drones globally, AirData has been building the compliance infrastructure the industry now needs.
As the industry’s leading policy advocate, the CDA has been central to advancing the regulatory frameworks. The CDA is an independent non-profit organization led by key members of the commercialdrone industry. It works to educate policymakers and the public on the safe integration of drones into the national airspace and to advocate for policies that enable commercial drone operations.
“We have long served as the intelligence backbone for drone operations,” Eran Steiner, CEO and founder of AirData UAV. “We look forward to leveraging our data, insights, and experience to enable scalable, compliant, and mission-critical drone programs, particularly as frameworks like Part 108 unlock the next phase of scaled BVLOS operations in the United States.”
AirData’s platform gives public safety agencies, enterprise operators, and drone programs of every size the maintenance documentation, pilot currency tracking, asset management, checklist discipline, and operational data history that regulators will expect when Part 108 takes effect.
Patented software visual-inertial cooperative navigation technology has potential to target defense, counter-drone (C-UAS), electronic warfare, and autonomous unmanned aircraft systems markets
NorthStrive Defense Tech LLC has secured a license option in connection with a proprietary U.S. patented autonomous navigation technology through an exclusive option agreement with a corporation.
The technology is designed to enable autonomous positioning and navigation for unmanned aircraft systems and drones operating in GPS-jammed, GPS-spoofed and GPS-denied environments, addressing a core capability gap identified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and allied defense programs worldwide.
NorthStrive Defense Tech LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc.
The option agreement provides NorthStrive Defense Tech with an exclusive option, within the aerospace and defense technologies field, to obtain an exclusive license as to certain patent rights for U.S. Patent No. 12,277,716 B2, covering a cooperative navigation system for unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, operating in GPS-denied and GPS-degraded environments.
The option is also for a non-exclusive license in the field as to certain know-how connected to these patent rights, as further set in the option agreement. On NorthStrive Defense Tech’s exercise of this option, the parties will enter into negotiations for a definitive license agreement.
The technology has the potential to enable drones to navigate accurately without GPS by using onboard cameras and inertial sensors to estimate position relative to the local environment. The approach applies visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and sensor-fusion techniques, including an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for real-time state estimation and cooperative multi-vehicle data sharing, which together represent foundational building blocks of next-generation autonomous systems.
When multiple drones operate, they share positional data in real time to collectively improve each vehicle’s accuracy, with performance formally evaluated under real-world GPS-denied conditions.
GPS-denied navigation has emerged as one of the most urgent challenges in modern drone operations. Conflicts in recent years have demonstrated that GPS signals cannot be relied upon in contested environments, where jamming and spoofing are routinely deployed to disable unmanned systems.
Vulnerabilities in GNSS signals have made anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities a top priority within U.S. defense modernization programs, the Pentagon, the DoD and allied NATO forces. That operational reality has driven substantial investment across the defense sector, with the GPS-denied drone navigation market projected to grow at a CAGR of 31.7% through 2030, according to Technavio.
Key potential capabilities include:
Vision and inertial-based navigation requiring no GPS signal (visual-inertial odometry / VIO with Extended Kalman Filter (EKF)-based state estimation)
Cooperative swarm localization through inter-vehicle range sharing, a foundational capability for drone swarm and counter-drone (C-UAS) operations
Scalable architecture supporting operations from individual drones to full swarms, with an architecture positioned for integration with AI-enabled autonomous systems
Technology formally evaluated for accuracy and performance under real-world GPS-denied conditions.
The system’s modular design keeps flight-critical estimation onboard each drone while requiring minimal data exchange between vehicles, making it practical for contested environments where communications bandwidth is limited or actively degraded.
Turkish UAV maker Baykar demonstrated its next-generation Kamikaze UAV K2 and Sivrisinek (Mosquito) loitering munition, showcasing AI-supported swarm autonomy, GNSS-independent navigation, automatic target detection, and strike capabilities during a demonstration held at the Keşan Flight Training and Test Center.
The K2 Kamikaze UAV and the Sivrisinek loitering munition will make their public debut at SAHA 2026, which takes place in Istanbul May 5-9.
The April 17 demonstration opened with the sequential takeoffs of five K2 Kamikaze UAVs within five minutes. Once airborne, the platforms conducted patrol flights in “right echelon,” “line,” “V,” and “Turan” formations.
Ten Sivrisinek loitering munitions — a new platform developed by Baykar — then joined the operation, forming a swarm beneath the K2 Kamikaze UAVs. The Bayraktar TB2, TB3, and AKINCI UCAVs accompanied the swarm flight, recording the operation from the air.
Credit: Baykar
AI-supported visual navigation Among the key technical highlights of the demonstration were the solutions developed to counter electronic warfare environments. Using AI-supported visual navigation software, the platforms demonstrated the capability to perform positioning and navigation independently of GNSS.
Having successfully showcased autonomous navigation in a GNSS-denied environment, the K2 and Sivrisinek Kamikaze UAVs also demonstrated AI-supported automatic target detection and automatic strike capabilities.
As part of the demonstration, a fleet of Sivrisinek loitering munitions executed a dive on the designated coordinates. A K2 Kamikaze UAV then broke off from the swarm and performed a high-speed dive on the designated coordinates, conducting a pass. In the final phase of the demonstration, a swarm group composed of 18 unmanned aerial vehicles across different classes — 5 K2s, 10 Sivrisinek, 1 Bayraktar TB2, 1 TB3, and 1 AKINCI — came together in a “V” formation to salute the delegation observing the flight.
Developed by Baykar, the next-generation Sivrisinek loitering munition raises operational depth to a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. Capable of uninterrupted communication within the swarm through AI support, Sivrisinek platforms can instantly share detected targets with one another.
Performing its missions through AI-based visual positioning even in the most challenging environments — including areas where GNSS signals are unavailable or subject to intensive jamming — Sivrisinek stands out in strategic missions to be conducted on the battlefield thanks to its high autonomy capability.
The 23rd International Flight Inspection Symposium (IFIS) will gather experts in San Salvador May 4-8. There, Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate its test and measurement solutions for ground-based navigation aids. The exhibits address the rising traffic volumes and stricter safety requirements.
Rohde & Schwarz will take part in the conference’s technical sessions with a presentation on “Challenges for UAV Operations in RF Dense Aerodrome Environments.”
The aviation sector today faces increasing air traffic density, rapid technological advancements and heightened security concerns, the company explained. Operators need test equipment that delivers laboratory level precision while tolerating the harsh environment of an airport runway or a remote navigation site.
Among the exhibits at the Rohde & Schwarz booth is the R&S EVSD1000 VHF/UHF Nav/Drone Analyzer, designed to conduct GBAS, ILS and VOR measurements in line with ICAO Doc 8071 and ICAO Annex 10. The receiver delivers laboratory precision, supports an air to ground Wi‑Fi datalink and gapless measurements with improved location accuracy during flight inspections. Customers benefit from a device that can be mounted on a drone, reducing the need for manned flights and lowering operational expenses.
Rohde & Schwarz gives airlines, airport operators and navigation service providers a reliable way to certify and maintain ground‑based aids under today’s demanding conditions. By combining high measurement accuracy, easy operation and durability, Rohde & Schwarz aims to help the industry keep pace with growth.
The Indian government has approved development of an indigenous, runway-independent combat search-and-rescue UAV for the Indian Air Force.
The drone will be used to rescue pilots and crew, and deliver supplies in extreme terrains, tasks to be accomplished without risking manned aircraft. For instance, snowbound heights are difficult for helicopters to traverse.
The UAV will be developed under the government’s Make-I category with 70% funding, and will operate up to 16,000 feet in the air. It will carry payloads up to 400 kg and support autonomous missions within a range of 200 km and a 45-minute loiter time.
Honeywell has launched the HGuide i700, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that delivers high-accuracy performance for unmanned air, land and sea vehicles. By pairing near navigation-grade capability with a no-license-required (NLR) classification, the HGuide i700 provides integrators worldwide with a powerful new option for critical sensing and navigation.
The HGuide i700 uses high reliability sensors and electronic architecture found in Honeywell’s HG3900 inertial measurement unit (IMU). Compact and low power, the HGuide i700 delivers near-navigation-grade accuracy and reliability while being optimized to support longer range navigation in GNSS-denied environments
“As customers explore new autonomous, robotic and precision-guided solutions, they want the accuracy and reliability of inertial systems that can be tailored to their program requirements,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation and Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace. “The HGuide i700 offers strong GNSS-denied performance for by limiting maximum acceleration and spin rates in a license-free package that simplifies the complexity of system development while preserving reliability.”
The latest in Honeywell’s HGuide suite of no-license inertial solutions, the HGuide i700 allows customers to streamline development cycles, simplify system architecture and transition to field deployment more quickly than existing technology.
The HGuide i700’s rugged design, compact size and low-power profile make it suitable for diverse commercial, industrial and defense applications, such as:
Unmanned aerial, land or sea vehicles
Mobile mapping and surveying systems
Long duration unmanned ground or surface platforms
Robotics and industrial automation
Stabilized payloads and pointing systems
Honeywell has been a top innovator in IMU technology for more than three decades and pioneered the use of MEMS technologies in navigation. For more information about the Honeywell HGuide i700 and Honeywell’s navigation solutions, visit Honeywell Aerospace.
Belgium company Agilica is offering a GNSS-independent onboard positioning system using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The system enables precise, autonomous drone navigation and landing, even in dynamic, GNSS-denied environments or on moving targets.
The company says the system achieves centimeter accuracy in real time, enhancing safety and precision. It supports multiple drones and mobile assets in dynamic conditions.
Developed in 2018 as a research and development initiative at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, Agilica has evolved into a company focused on developing high-accuracy positioning and navigation solutions for drone and robotic applications.
The Trimble module provides Volatus’ clients with a turnkey solution for highly-accurate aerial data acquisition and fully-remote drone operations in real-world missions, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
The Trimble PX-1 RTX uses Trimble’s CenterPoint RTX corrections along with compact, high-performance GNSS-inertial hardware to deliver real-time, centimeter-level positioning and highly precise inertial-derived true heading measurements. This technology reduces operational risks associated with poor sensor performance or magnetic interference by providing enhanced positioning redundancy.
Volatus must meet strict guidelines addressing airspace entry and exit, altitude and speed, and communication and remote identification when taking off from and landing at the Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, Canada. The flight corridor approved by Transport Canada and Nav Canada requires them to land and takeoff with precision, while staying at 50-feet altitude when crossing airplane arrival routes.
Trimble PX-1 RTX’s precise positioning capabilities address crucial accuracy challenges for takeoff and landing, while supporting an exact flight altitude and positioning within the flight corridor. This capability enaables Volatus to remain compliant with the controlled airspace authorization from Nav Canada, a non-profit that operates the country’s civil air navigation system.
The Trimble PX-1 RTX solution is available through Trimble sales channels.
Wingcopter’s authorized partner in Japan, ITOCHU Corporation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the practical use of Wingcopter’s long-range drones in aerial surveying together with PASCO Corporation and YellowScan Japan.
The companies initially plan to use the Wingcopter 198 in disaster management where drone-based surveying is playing an increasingly important role,
to create hazard maps and monitor ground deformation as part of effective pre-disaster prevention,
to gather information and assess damage in the event of a disaster, and
to measure terrain changes and develop recovery plans during post-disaster restoration.
According to Wingcopter, carrying out these tasks is easier and less risky with fixed-wing drones such as the Wingcopter 198 than with traditional human or aircraft-based methods.
About 70 percent of Japan’s land consists of mountainous and hilly terrain, with steep slopes and short, fast-flowing rivers. Conventional multicopter droneswould not be suitable for such tasks as they are limited in range and coverage compared to the Wingcopter 198.
Image: Wingcopter
Under the MOU, YellowScan Japan’s advanced lidaer scanner Voyager will be used on the Wingcopter 198. By integrating this technology with PASCO’s extensive expertise in operational quality and safety in aerial surveying, it is possible to carry out long-distance and large-area surveys that were previously difficult to achieve without manned aircraft.
In a single 45-minute flight, the Wingcopter 198 can scan 1,000+ hectares, simultaneously capturing lidar and RGB data, allowing the system to generate an exceptionally high point density and precision. This makes it suitable even for demanding applications.
The collaboration also promotes automation and labor savings in surveying tasks, contributing to sustainable development in the surveying industry and reducing disaster risks.
At a recent product launch event, ComNav Technology unveiled a new technological ecosystem for surveying. Under the theme “From Earth to Ocean,” the company presented a suite of next-generation innovations engineered to advance the frontiers of geospatial and hydrographic intelligence.
ML300 mobile laser scanning system
Precision surveying in complex environments
The ML300 mobile laser scanning system is designed for large-scale surveying projects and complex environments. It incorporates multi-mode fusion positioning technology, integrating GNSS, IMU, DMI and laser SLAM, providing a new approach to 3D scene reconstruction.
This system is designed for environments where GNSS signals are limited or entirely lost, such as tunnels, urban canyons, and densely built-up areas. In these challenging environments, traditional surveying methods often fail to deliver the required precision, but with ML300’s intelligent multi-mode positioning, we ensure accurate 3D scene reconstruction regardless of the conditions.
The ML300 mobile laser scanning system incorporates multi-mode fusion positioning technology. (Photo: ComNavTech)
The core advantages of the ML300 lie in its high precision and flexibility. By combining Laser SLAM and DMI technologies, it can operate effectively without GNSS signals, eliminating errors and improving modeling accuracy. This breakthrough offers new solutions for large-scale land surveys, urban infrastructure monitoring, and smart city planning, among others.
Designed for operational efficiency, the ML300 boasts a modular and highly flexible design. It can be customized with various sensors, including road cameras, Ladybug 6 panoramic cameras, and wheel encoders, making it adaptable to a wide range of project needs. Additionally, with up to 6 hours of battery life and external power source support, the ML300 ensures stable performance during long working hours.
Whether for highway surveys, urban power line inspections, dynamic forestry management, or smart transportation system development, the ML300 provides precise and efficient data support, facilitating digital transformation across various industries.
The SV3 USV is designed to be portable and usable by a single surveyor. (Photo: ComNavTech)
SV300 unmanned surface vessel
Intelligent underwater surveying
The SV300 unmanned surface vessel was designed specifically for intelligent underwater surveying. This autonomous vessel is optimized for operation in complex aquatic environments, integrating high-precision GNSS positioning, AI technologies, and autonomous navigation capabilities, enhancing both the efficiency and accuracy of hydrographic surveys.
Its design focus on making underwater exploration smarter, safer and more efficient. Its ultra-light design (28 kg) and compact hull (less than 1 meter in length) enable single-person operation. The SV300 can be stored in the trunk of a small vehicle.
Equipped with a high-performance single-beam bathymetric measurement system, the SV300 can measure depths up to 200 meters, ensuring reliable data. Its streamlined hull and powerful motor enable a top speed of 7 meters per second, accelerating survey speeds without compromising accuracy.
The intelligent features of the SV300 enhance measurement efficiency and ensure the safety of personnel. Whether used for river, lake or ocean surveys, or in emergency response and pipeline inspections, the SV300 adapts to complex environments inunderwater exploration.
HYD10 portable echo sounder
Compact and precise
The HYD10 is a lightweight, high-precision echo sounder designed for modern surveying tasks. Weighing 0.3 kg for the main unit and 1.5 kg for the transducer, its portability means a single operator to carry and operate. Its compact design and Bluetooth capability allow it to function seamlessly in tight spaces and complex environments, removing the need for cumbersome cables.
With a measurement depth range of 0.3m to 200 m, the HYD10 provides high-precision readings with accuracy ±1 cm + 0.1% of water depth and 1 cm resolution. The 200 kHz depth module and narrow 6° beam angle ensure precise, clear data, while an adjustable sound speed range (1300-1700 m/s) adapts to different water conditions.
For greater operational flexibility, the HYD10 integrates with Survey Master software, supporting real-time monitoring, data processing and wireless connections through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is compatible with a variety of positioning devices, including the P6H and P8H tablets, as well as a wide range of RTK receivers. The P6H provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy, while the P8H offers flexible antenna adjustments for various field conditions.
The R80 GNSS Data Collector is designed for modern surveying. (Photo: ComNavTech)
R80 GNSS data collector
Precision in surveyors’ hands
The R80 GNSS data collector is designed to improve field technology, engineered for demanding tasks in construction, mining, surveying and GIS. The R80 has an octa-core processor, delivering rapid CAD and map loading to ensure smooth operation and boost productivity. The ergonomic design with an 18-degree grip angle maximizes one-hand comfort, reducing fatigue during long hours of operation.
The R80 features ultra-wide mechanical keys with tactile feedback, offering precise control with a 0.8 mm travel and pressure sensing. It includes custom quick-measure keys for easy access to measurement functions. The 51-key backlit keyboard and a 6-inch 1080P display ensure clear visibility even in direct sunlight. With a 9000 mAh battery, it supports more than 16 hours of continuous operation. It holds an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and has passed a 1.5-meter drop test.
It supports 4G LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC, and has a 13MP autofocus camera for high-definition imagery. Survey Master software, integrated with a CADX engine, enables instant opening of large drawings and ensures smooth field operations.
