“With magnetic navigation (MagNav) there’s no signal to jam,” said Aaron Canciani, manager of the Leidos Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) team and a former Air Force scientist. “The one thing MagNav does need is a very sensitive magnetometer, which is where quantum comes in.”
Quantum sensing, which allows microscopic particles to exist in multiple states at once, helps measure geophysical properties like magnetic fields with high accuracy. Leidos has long been engaged in quantum research, applying it to various cybersecurity and sensing applications.
“Quantum magnetometers have the potential to greatly increase position and attitude accuracies in magnetic navigation systems,” Canciani explained. “Nitrogen vacancy-diamond magnetometers use the crystal structure of a diamond to define a sensing axis in which quantum measurements of the complete vector field can be known to exquisite accuracies.”
The advanced magnetometer sensor is being developed by Frequency Electronics, Inc., under subcontract to Leidos and in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Lab. Compared to traditional magnetometers, which are prone to drift, Canciani stated, “These quantum measurements are linked to the magnetic field through fundamental physics-based constants.”
Leidos plans to integrate the new magnetometer into a MagNav flight system in the future. If successful, the initiative could significantly enhance military navigation capabilities.
