Researchers and technology developers are testing quantum magnetic navigation systems to protect aircraft against growing GPS jamming and spoofing risks. The technology uses sensitive quantum magnetometers to read magnetic patterns generated by rocks in Earth's crust, comparing the readings against stored maps to fix aircraft positions without satellite signals.
Honeywell Aerospace and the US Defense Innovation Unit demonstrated the technology on an Embraer 170 test aircraft during a four-hour, 23-minute flight without GPS. The agency announced on September 4, 2026, that the system delivered an 89 percent improvement in position accuracy compared to conventional backup navigation methods.
Additionally, Australian technology company Q-CTRL has collaborated with Airbus since 2024 to evaluate quantum navigation systems for commercial aviation applications.
