ASIO secures U.S. contract to supply NOCTA optical navigation systems for UAV operations in contested environments

The contract reflects increasing demand for Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing solutions that enable reliable autonomous operations when satellite navigation is disrupted. Officials said such capabilities are essential in environments where jamming and spoofing affect mission performance.

NOCTA is a compact optical positioning module designed for Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aerial systems. The system provides drift-free navigation without reliance on GPS or communications, allowing continued operation in denied environments.

The technology has accumulated more than 10,000 operational hours in real-world combat missions. It is designed for rapid integration across multiple platforms and supports both day and night operations, with the ability to incorporate additional sensors such as LiDAR.

ASIO said its systems have been tested in a wide range of challenging conditions, including snow, desert and mixed terrain environments. These tests are intended to ensure consistent performance across diverse operational scenarios.

“This contract reflects a clear operational requirement,” said Tomer Malchi. “For UAV operators, mission continuity depends on the ability to operate autonomously and navigate seamlessly when GNSS is spoofed or jammed and communications are blocked.”

“NOCTA was developed to ensure reliable operation and mission execution under these conditions,” he added.

Eugene Mamajek said the agreement highlights growing interest in the technology. “The U.S. market is actively seeking reliable and proven APNT capabilities that can be deployed today.”

“This contract reflects strong confidence in ASIO’s technology and supports our continued expansion and customer engagement in the U.S.,” he added.

ASIO said its solutions are already deployed in combat conditions and have demonstrated resilience in radio-frequency contested environments. The company develops a range of systems focused on navigation, situational awareness and operational autonomy for defence applications.