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Hanwha Defence Australia, Hanwha Aerospace and Advanced Navigation have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop strategic-grade assured positioning navigation and timing solutions.
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Assured positioning navigation and timing technologies developer Advanced Navigation signed with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia to co-develop the strategic-grade assured positioning navigation and timing (APNT) solutions.
Signed on the opening day of Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition, the agreement will see the three companies collaborate on the development of high-performance inertial navigation systems (INS) for autonomous, airborne and crewed systems. This will be used for precision targeting and vehicle navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-contested environments across land and air domains.
“The landscape of sovereign defence manufacturing is experiencing a seismic shift, driven by advanced technologies like automation, machine learning, and precision engineering. Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient in meeting the complex demands of modern PNT systems,” Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said.
“Collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia will not only bring together the brightest in engineering minds, it will forge a path toward unrivalled PNT excellence and reinforce our technological sovereignty.”
Under the agreement, the co-developed solutions will be integrated into Hanwha Aerospace’s global supply chain, aiding the advancement of the broader strategic APNT interests for Australia and international markets.
“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Advanced Navigation, as it reinforces our commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing joint advanced military capabilities,” Hanwha Defence Australia acting managing director Dean Michie said.
“In support of uplifting the Australian industrial base, we look forward to equipping partners with next-generation solutions for accurate targeting, secure navigation, and synchronised operations in situations where GNSS signals may be degraded. This important sovereign capability will further strengthen the growing Australian–South Korean relationship.”
By integrating Advanced Navigation’s IP in digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technologies with Hanwha’s robust aerospace and defence capabilities, the agreement will look to augment Australia’s manufacturing and supply chain resilience to meet the demand of global military supply chains.
Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Melbourne will provide critical facilities supporting the production and sustainment of tracked armoured vehicles, including multiple assembly lines, a 1,200-metre test track, a deep-water test facility, an obstacle course and a research and development centre. Stage two of the development will also include Australia’s EMI/EMC (electromagnetic interference/compatibility) chamber and test shooting tunnel alongside an expanded manufacturing capability.
In the neighbouring state of NSW, Advanced Navigation’s high-tech manufacturing facility increases the secure production of APNT solutions. Specifically, it enhances the critical output of strategic-grade DFOGs, which possess the heightened sensitivity necessary to detect the Earth’s rotation. Advanced Navigation is one of only four companies in the world with the capability to manufacture this technology.
“Increasing global supply chain capacity will ensure critical defence capabilities remain uninterrupted. These technological strides will position Australia as a trailblazer in defence manufacturing on the international stage and strengthen its national security,” Hanwha Aerospace’s You Jung-hun said.
“The research collaboration between Advanced Navigation, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Defence Australia is underpinned by a legacy of innovation and engineering excellence. Built on decades of disruptive technologies and cutting-edge solutions, forged through rigorous research and development, this MOU is not only a continuation of shared commitments to advancing military capabilities, but a strategic effort to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of defence technology innovation.”
