In a breakthrough for independent and resilient navigation, a UK-funded project led by quantum technology pioneer Infleqtion has successfully demonstrated flight trials of a quantum-based navigation system that does not rely on GNSS signals.
Supported by nearly £8 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the United Kingdom’s national research funding agency, the work marks a major step forward for alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) architectures in the UK.
The system, known as a quantum inertial navigation system (Q-INS), uses ultra-cold atoms and a compact optical atomic clock to derive position and time without depending on satellite signals. The trials were carried out aboard a modified QinetiQ RJ100 aircraft, in collaboration with BAE Systems and QinetiQ. These airborne tests represent a commercial world first for resilient, jamming-resistant, quantum PNT technology.
The achievement aligns with the UK’s broader system-of-systems, PNT resilience strategy, as laid out in the UK Space Agency’s 2025-26 corporate plan, which emphasizes diversifying PNT sources beyond GNSS. By investing in quantum navigation, the UK is building alternative navigation backstops that could safeguard critical infrastructure, even under GNSS denial or disruption.
Autonomy in the UK
Quantum navigation in this case is not just about avoiding interference; it’s also about autonomy and national security. In a UKRI press release, Science Minister Andrew Griffith said, “From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation systems that are accurate, safe and secure. The scientific research we are supporting here could well provide the resilience to protect our interests.”
Meanwhile, the UK has also invested in foundational quantum PNT research under its National Quantum Technologies Program (NQTP). Notably, Imperial College London received £2.5 million toward quantum positioning and timing research as part of the new Quantum-enabled PNT Hub at the University of Glasgow, backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This hub is building the critical expertise and infrastructure needed to scale quantum PNT systems from the lab to real-world deployments.
The UK’s strategy has also included additional rounds of quantum funding: in 2025, Innovate UK opened a ‘Contracts for Innovation’ competition, making £14 million available for quantum sensors and navigation systems under its National Quantum Strategy Missions. Among the 14 selected winners, several projects will focus on quantum-enabled PNT.
By combining quantum clocks, inertial sensors, and cutting-edge algorithms, the UK is charting a course toward a resilient, sovereign navigation future. While GNSS remains vital, this quantum-backed approach promises a complementary, and, crucially, independent, layer of navigation assurance.
