Northrop Grumman has teamed up with SandboxAQ to demonstrate quantum sensing magnetic navigation on its Lumberjack uncrewed aircraft system (UAS).
The flight saw SandboxAQ’s AQNav MagNav system successfully guide the UAS using variations in the Earth’s magnetic field.
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During the demonstration, the quantum magnetic navigation system continued to operate effectively even when subjected to jamming and was able to maintain navigation in environments where GPS signals were unavailable, including over open water.
The test also established that Lumberjack is capable of multiple launch, flight, and landing cycles, supporting its use in military training operations.
According to Northrop Grumman, the platform’s modular structure allows it to integrate mission kits from both industry partners and the company itself, enabling a broad range of mission requirements to be met.
Northrop Grumman Lumberjack programme manager Max Schuster said: “Lumberjack showcases not only ‘best-of-breed’ technology across industries, but our ability to integrate quickly has moved us from vision to operational reality in a rapid timeline.
“Adding quantum sensing to an adaptable autonomous platform like Lumberjack advances mission capability in GPS-denied environments.”
Lumberjack is one of Northrop Grumman’s portfolio of uncrewed solutions, which also includes MUX TACAIR and Project Talon.
The Group 3 UAS completed its inaugural flight less than 14 months after the start of development and was able to demonstrate the magnetic navigation capability only a month after setting that goal for the platform.
Designed as an attritable, one-way attack drone, Lumberjack is equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and precision strike tasks. Modular architecture enables the platform to accept rapidly integrated mission kits from Northrop Grumman and third-party providers.
Northrop Grumman serves as the primary mission systems integrator for Lumberjack, while ESAero, a wholly owned subsidiary of AeroVironment, delivers the air vehicle and supports system integration.
SandboxAQ stated that the latest demonstration marks the first reported use of a magnetic navigation system combined with a visual navigation system on an attritable, one-way attack platform.
