GPS alternative: plane flew over ocean without signals

The American MagNav program has successfully tested quantum navigation. An Embraer 170 passenger aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean without GPS signals, relying on quantum sensors. The new technology proved 89% more accurate than traditional backup systems.

The American MagNav program, implemented by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit with participation from Honeywell Aerospace, has successfully tested quantum navigation. An Embraer 170 passenger aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean without GPS signals, using quantum sensors. The test flight lasted 4 hours and 23 minutes, with a route from Puget Sound to southeastern Alaska and back. The technology is based on detecting fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field and matching them with a magnetic map. The innovation proved 89% more accurate than traditional backup systems. The project, launched in 2024, aims to ensure aviation safety in conditions of signal jamming and cyberattacks. Pilots received real-time data on a tablet screen. The successful completion of the flight confirms the viability of the development and opens prospects for the implementation of quantum navigation in aviation.

GPS alternative: plane flew over ocean without signals