Advanced Navigation has secured an $18.5 million supply agreement with Norwegian defense group KONGSBERG to provide navigation technology for counter-unmanned aerial systems deployed in Europe. Under the agreement, Advanced Navigation will supply hundreds of Boreas Fiber-Optic Gyroscope inertial navigation systems for integration into KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems platforms. The technology is designed to maintain precise positioning, orientation, and heading when satellite navigation signals are jammed, spoofed, or unavailable.
Supporting Poland’s Counter-Drone Capabilities
The PROTECTOR systems equipped with Advanced Navigation technology are being manufactured in Norway and will ultimately be delivered to the Polish Armaments Agency. Their deployment forms part of a NOK 16 billion contract, equivalent to approximately $1.74 billion, aimed at strengthening Poland’s defenses against evolving aerial threats. The latest supply agreement expands an existing relationship between the companies following an earlier multimillion-dollar deal involving Advanced Navigation’s Boreas D90 system and KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR RS4 platform.
Navigation for GPS-Denied Environments
Modern counter-drone operations increasingly need to function in environments where satellite navigation cannot be relied upon because of electronic warfare. Advanced Navigation’s Boreas technology uses fiber-optic gyroscopes and sensor-fusion algorithms to provide navigation data independently of continuous GPS access, helping military platforms retain their positioning and orientation. This capability allows PROTECTOR systems to maintain sensor alignment and support accurate target tracking and engagement during electronic interference.
Addressing the Economics of Drone Defense
The partnership also responds to the growing cost imbalance created by the widespread use of inexpensive attack drones in modern conflicts. Traditional air-defense interceptors can cost considerably more than the unmanned systems they are designed to destroy, increasing demand for counter-drone technologies with lower engagement costs. KONGSBERG positions PROTECTOR as an adaptable C-UAS platform capable of integrating different sensors, weapons, and fire-control systems according to mission requirements.
Expanding Multi-Domain Applications
KONGSBERG said resilient navigation is becoming increasingly important as unmanned threats spread across land, maritime, and critical infrastructure environments. The companies expect the integrated technology to support missions ranging from protecting military convoys and airfields to defending coastal and naval assets against unmanned systems. PROTECTOR platforms using Advanced Navigation technology are already deployed across several types of military equipment, including infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, naval vessels, and unmanned ground vehicles.
Scaling Defense Production
Advanced Navigation said its vertically integrated manufacturing model allows the company to control component sourcing, environmental testing, and simulated electronic-warfare validation before systems are delivered. The company argues that this approach can support higher-volume production and shorter delivery schedules as European governments accelerate defense procurement in response to changing security requirements. The agreement is also supported by the Australian Department of Defence’s Global Supply Chain Program, which is intended to help Australian companies participate in international defense supply networks.
Growing Importance of Assured Navigation
The deal highlights the increasing strategic importance of positioning, navigation, and timing systems that can continue operating without dependable satellite signals. Counter-drone platforms require accurate orientation and location data to coordinate sensors, targeting systems, and weapons, making navigation resilience an important component of overall system performance. As electronic warfare capabilities become more widespread, defense manufacturers are increasingly incorporating alternative navigation technologies into platforms expected to operate in contested environments.
Advanced Navigation’s $18.5 million agreement with KONGSBERG deepens the companies’ collaboration while linking the Australian navigation technology provider to a major European counter-drone procurement program. Hundreds of Boreas inertial navigation systems will support PROTECTOR platforms intended for Poland, providing positioning and orientation capabilities during GPS disruption. The agreement reflects broader defense-sector demand for counter-UAS systems that combine cost-efficient engagement with greater resilience against electronic warfare.