Scientists have created a revolutionary navigation system for combat drones that does not require GPS

Australian engineers have developed an innovative navigation system for unmanned aerial vehicles that uses a star map instead of GPS.

The technology, created at the University of South Australia, combines celestial navigation with algorithmic data analysis, which allows UAVs to navigate at night even in the absence of a GPS signal. The main advantage of the system — it does not radiate signals, so it cannot be silenced by modern GPS jamming methods.

The system consists of simple hardware: a Raspberry Pi 5 minicomputer and a monochrome sensor with a wide-angle lens. This device is attached to a UAV, collects images of stars, and compares them with a database, determining the location of the device. As co-author Samuel Teague explained, this method is based on the precise location of stars in the sky and the orientation of the camera during filming.

During testing, the system allowed the UAV to determine its location with an accuracy of up to 4 km. Although this indicator is inferior to modern GPS, the technology has significant potential as a backup system in conditions of failure or jamming of satellite signals. The main limitation remains the need for open skies for operation, but the researchers are confident that further improvements can solve this&nsbsp;problem.

The technology has a wide range of possible applications, including military operations, long-term surveillance, ocean monitoring and remote natural environments. Due to its accessibility and low cost, this star-based navigation could become an important tool for ensuring the stability of UAV operations in extreme conditions.