Global Citizenship: Chinese PCB Fabricators Will Remain an Important Part of the Supply Chain
Nolan’s Notes: The Interconnectedness of a Global Supply Chain
SMT Perspectives and Prospects: Warren Buffett’s Perpetual Wisdom, Part 1
Leidos Using Quantum Technology to Thwart GPS Jamming
June 5, 2025 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Susceptibility to jamming is a significant military vulnerability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal. Through a Defense Innovation Unit contract, Leidos is developing an alternative navigation technology that measures variations in the Earth's magnetic field and harnesses the quantum properties of nitrogen in diamonds.
"With magnetic navigation (MagNav) there's no signal to jam," said Aaron Canciani, manager of the Leidos Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) team and a former Air Force scientist who is a pioneer of the technology. "The one thing MagNav does need is a very sensitive magnetometer, which is where quantum comes in."
Quantum sensing uses microscopic particles that can simultaneously exist in multiple states to more accurately detect aspects of geophysical properties like magnetic fields. Leidos has been doing quantum work for years, applying it to a variety of cyber security and sensing applications.
"Quantum magnetometers have the potential to greatly increase position and attitude accuracies in magnetic navigation systems," Canciani said. "Nitrogen vacancy-diamond magnetometers use the crystal structure of a diamond to define a sensing axis in which quantum measurements of the complete vector field can be known to exquisite accuracies."
The sensor is being developed by Frequency Electronics, Inc. under subcontract to Leidos and in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Lab.
Compared to classic magnetometers, which tend to drift due to reliance on relative measurements, Canciani adds, "These quantum measurements are linked to the magnetic field through fundamental physics-based constants."
Ultimately, Leidos intends to fly a MagNav system with the new magnetometer. If successful, the technology has the potential to significantly advance navigation technology for military use.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Boeing-Built X-37B Spaceplane Set for Eighth Mission
08/04/2025 | BoeingThe Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is preparing to launch its eighth mission (OTV-8) from Florida's Space Coast, with liftoff scheduled no earlier than August 21. This milestone comes less than six months after the successful completion of OTV-7.
Keysight Installs World’s Largest Commercial Quantum Control System at AIST’s Leading-Edge G-QuAT Center
07/30/2025 | Keysight TechnologiesKeysight Technologies, Inc. has delivered the world’s largest1 commercial quantum control system (QCS) to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan.
Diraq Secures CTCP Funding to Uncover Energy Applications
07/28/2025 | DiraqDiraq has been awarded AU$500,000 in funding to explore how quantum computers can enhance the performance, sustainability and security of energy networks.
Honeywell Awarded U.S. Government Contracts to Develop Quantum Sensor-Based Navigation Systems
07/21/2025 | HoneywellHoneywell has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to participate in the Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program.
EIFO, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Acquire the World's Most Powerful Quantum Computer
07/17/2025 | PRNewswireThe commercial and geopolitical stakes in quantum technology are immense, and significant technological advances have been made over the past decade.