The European Defence Fund (EDF) and the Ministries of Defence of Estonia and Finland have awarded a €6 million investment to Project BadB, a consortium led by Estonian defence technology company KrattWorks. The project focuses on developing advanced navigation solutions for land and aerial vehicles that do not rely on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).
Addressing Electronic Warfare Challenges
Project BadB aims to counter the challenges posed by rapidly evolving electronic warfare technologies, such as radio jamming and GNSS spoofing. The project’s goal is to provide reliable navigation for unmanned systems operating in contested environments, enhancing their operational effectiveness in active war zones and other critical areas.
Technological Innovations
Project BadB will leverage advanced technologies to achieve its objectives:
- Weather-Independent Satellite Imagery: Developing up-to-date satellite maps for unmanned vehicles, which can function independently of weather conditions.
- Machine Vision and Image Recognition: Using sophisticated algorithms to determine vehicle positions without relying on GNSS.
- Path Planning Systems: Utilizing sensor data, cross-platform data sharing, and swarming techniques to optimize navigation routes.
GIM Robotics plays a crucial role in Project BadB by developing GNSS-denied navigation software for land vehicles. This software is designed to resist and detect jamming and spoofing, ensuring that vehicles can navigate accurately even when GNSS signals are unavailable. The company’s technology enables land vehicles to maintain precise navigation using alternative data sources, such as satellite imagery and sensor integration.
Consortium and Collaboration
The consortium includes four companies from three countries, each bringing specialized expertise to the project:
- KrattWorks (Estonia): Specializes in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) development.
- GIM Robotics (Finland): Focuses on GNSS-denied navigation software for land vehicles.
- KappaZeta (Estonia): Expert in satellite data processing and AI land monitoring systems.
- Rigr AI (Ireland): Develops AI-powered software for defense applications.
Support is also provided by Solita OÜ (Estonia) and Solita Oy (Finland), part of the Solita Group, a digitalization consultancy operating in nine European countries.
Strategic Importance and Future Applications
General (ret) Mark Milley remarked, “We are witnessing an unprecedented fundamental change in the character of war, and our window of opportunity to ensure that we maintain an enduring competitive advantage is closing.”
Project BadB was selected during the EDF 2023 Calls for Proposals, with a project duration of 24 months. The EDF aims to boost cooperation between companies and research entities to enhance European defence capabilities.
For more information on Project BadB and its implications for the future of navigation technologies, visit the EDF Project Overview.
