Australia’s Q-CTRL has successfully demonstrated the world’s first commercially viable quantum navigation system in a real-world setting. Unlike traditional systems, this breakthrough technology operates independently of GPS, is immune to jamming, and offers significantly greater accuracy than existing navigation solutions.

Figure 1. Jam-Resistant Quantum Tech With 50x GPS Accuracy.

This development is especially important given the global reliance on GPS by vehicles, aircraft, and autonomous systems. GPS signals can be jammed, spoofed, or disrupted—particularly during military operations or cyberattacks—posing serious risks to navigation and national security. Figure 1 shows Jam-Resistant Quantum Tech With 50x GPS Accuracy.

The need for a dependable alternative is urgent. According to Q-CTRL’s press release, GPS jamming affects approximately 1,000 flights daily [1]. The economic impact of such widespread outages is staggering, with global losses estimated at $1 billion per day. As a result, robust GPS-independent solutions like quantum navigation are becoming essential, particularly for defense and autonomous technologies.

Navigation Without GPS

To address the vulnerabilities of GPS, Q-CTRL has developed a groundbreaking system known as “Ironstone Opal,” which leverages quantum sensors to enable GPS-free navigation. This system is entirely passive—meaning it emits no signals, making it undetectable and immune to jamming—and offers exceptional precision.

Rather than depending on satellite signals, Ironstone Opal determines location by analyzing subtle variations in the Earth’s magnetic field, which acts like a unique magnetic map. By using magnetometers to detect these changes, the system can accurately pinpoint position.

At the core of this innovation are Q-CTRL’s proprietary quantum sensors, renowned for their exceptional sensitivity and stability. Complementing the hardware is advanced AI-driven software that filters out disturbances such as vibrations and electromagnetic interference—an approach the company refers to as “software ruggedization.”

The Ironstone Opal system is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for integration into drones, vehicles, and aircraft. To validate the technology, Q-CTRL conducted both ground and airborne trials. As expected, the system functioned entirely independently of GPS, confirming its reliability in real-world conditions. Notably, Q-CTRL reports that its quantum navigation system delivered accuracy 50 times greater than conventional GPS backup solutions, such as Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). In terms of precision, the system achieved results equivalent to hitting a bullseye from 1,000 yards.

Proven Quantum Technology

Even when installed aboard an aircraft—an environment typically rife with interference—the quantum system still outperformed existing navigation technologies by a factor of at least 11. This achievement marks the first time a quantum solution has demonstrated superior performance over traditional technologies in an operational setting, a milestone known as reaching “quantum advantage.”

Thanks to its stealthy, jam-resistant, and ultra-precise capabilities, the technology has garnered strong interest from defense sectors in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States [2]. Beyond military applications, it holds significant promise for commercial aviation, autonomous vehicles, and drone operations.

This innovation could revolutionize navigation in contested or GPS-denied environments—such as conflict zones, mountainous terrain, or deep-sea regions where GPS signals are weak or unavailable.

“At Q-CTRL, we’re proud to be leading the global transition of quantum sensing from the lab to real-world use,” said Q-CTRL founder Michael Biercuk. “This marks our first major system release, and we’re just getting started. We’re excited to roll out more quantum-assured navigation technologies tailored for additional use cases.”

References:

1. https://govconexec.com/2025/04/australia-advances-quantum-timing-tech-to-counter-gps-threats/
2. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australia-firm-gps-less-navigation-system

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), Australia Reveals Jam-Resistant Quantum Tech With 50x GPS Accuracy, AnaTechMaz,pp.240