Advanced Navigation Won $18.5M Contract for Polish Drones
The firm will supply GPS-independent inertial navigation systems for Poland's counter-drone batteries.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Robotics
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Advanced Navigation has signed an $18.5 million agreement to supply its Boreas fiber-optic gyroscope systems to Kongsberg. These systems are intended to support 18 counter-drone batteries in Poland as part of the broader SAN CUAS program.
Why it matters
The deployment addresses growing military demand for navigation systems that remain functional during GPS jamming and spoofing incidents. This technology is critical for ensuring operational stability in contested environments where satellite connectivity is routinely disrupted.
The Boreas fiber-optic gyroscope systems utilize onboard sensors to calculate precise position and movement, allowing platforms to operate without external satellite signals. This replaces standard GPS reliance, which is vulnerable to the electronic warfare tactics frequently encountered in modern conflict zones.
The players
Advanced Navigation
An Australian company specializing in inertial navigation systems and robotics for defense and industrial applications.
Kongsberg
A Norwegian technology group that manufactures remote weapon stations and advanced defense systems.
Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa
A Polish state-owned defense industry group that manages domestic arms manufacturing and procurement programs.
The details
The navigation systems function by measuring acceleration and angular velocity using fiber-optic gyroscopes, a technology that tracks orientation and speed relative to an inertial reference frame. By continuously updating the platform's spatial coordinates internally, the system maintains navigation accuracy during GPS jamming or spoofing. This enables Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR stations to track and engage threats even when satellite-based positioning data is intentionally corrupted or unavailable.
Timeline
January 2026: The SAN CUAS program contract was signed.
September 22, 2026: Advanced Navigation announced the $18.5 million deal.
The Tech Race
This deal marks a major integration of GPS-denied navigation into the SAN CUAS program. It highlights a shift in defense procurement toward robust, self-contained guidance systems rather than reliance on satellite-linked hardware.
The technology directly enhances the performance of 18 counter-drone batteries currently being delivered for defense operations in Poland. These stations enable military forces to maintain air-space monitoring capabilities even when faced with sophisticated electronic jamming.
The takeaway
The transition to sensor-based inertial navigation represents a critical hardening of defense assets against electronic warfare. Observers should monitor the implementation of these batteries in the Polish defense sector to assess how non-GPS systems perform during field operations.
Further reading
For broader trends in autonomous defense systems, see our latest coverage in Robotics.
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Should nations prioritize military technology that operates independently of GPS systems?
