Derrick Henry
Draper has finished testing its assured positioning, navigation and timing systems, including an advanced airborne celestial navigation system, or CNS, that was certified for U.S. military standards.
The pre-production tests were conducted aboard an aircraft for over 30 flight hours and at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet, Draper said Wednesday. During the flight tests, the sensor system operated in an unconditioned installation and showcased enhanced navigation accuracy.
Test Benefits
The tests proved that the “airborne CNS can meet operational requirements and is ready for integration into customer platforms,” according to Scott Dellicker, director of guidance, navigation and control solutions at Draper.
“This is an important development for our customers’ ability to maintain freedom of maneuver in highly contested and challenging environments,” he explained.
“This internally funded test flight demonstrates our commitment to producing alternatives to GPS in highly contested and challenging environments,” noted Chris McDowell, director for assured PNT solutions at Draper.
Draper’s Skymark Technology
The airborne CNS employs Draper’s Skymark technology, which enables navigation in GPS-denied environments and supports various applications, such as surface vessels, aircraft, missiles, and ground and space vehicles. Currently in production, the system’s surface vessel variant will be deployed soon on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, while the aircraft version will be delivered starting in late 2026.
The flight tests underscore Draper’s vision of providing innovative A3PNT capabilities, including magnetic navigation, high-precision clocks and advanced inertial measurement instruments, for use in contested and challenging environments.
