Lockheed Martin Pursues Quantum Navigation as GPS Backup for Military Systems

[Raven]

Lockheed Martin is positioning quantum navigation technology as a companion and backup system to GPS for military applications, according to reporting from the Quantum Insider this week. The goal is to give military users more precise location data even in environments where GPS signals are jammed, spoofed or otherwise unavailable. This is a serious practical need for modern military operations where adversaries have become sophisticated at electronic warfare against positioning systems.

Quantum navigation works on different physical principles from GPS. Rather than relying on satellite timing signals, quantum inertial navigation systems use extremely precise quantum sensors to measure acceleration and rotation with accuracy that classical accelerometers cannot match. Because they do not depend on external signals, they cannot be jammed or spoofed in the way GPS can. The challenge has always been making these systems small, robust and affordable enough for field deployment.

Lockheed's framing of this as a companion rather than a replacement for GPS is realistic and tells you something about where the technology is. Quantum inertial navigation systems drift over time and need periodic recalibration, ideally using GPS when it is available. The hybrid approach makes the most sense operationally. The Trump quantum executive orders this week explicitly mentioned quantum sensing as a priority area with a target of three next-generation sensor projects fielded by September 30 2028, which likely includes this kind of navigation work.

Lockheed Martin Sees GPS And Quantum Navigation Working Togetherthequantuminsider.com