{"id":16533,"date":"2021-03-18T21:54:54","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T21:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/03\/18\/israel-starts-research-center-for-gps-free-navigation\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:47:55","slug":"israel-starts-research-center-for-gps-free-navigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/mideast-africa\/2021\/03\/18\/israel-starts-research-center-for-gps-free-navigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel starts research center for GPS-free navigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

JERUSALEM \u2014 Israel\u2019s Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries opened a new research center to develop navigation systems that don\u2019t rely on easily disrupted GPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As militaries across the world work to provide stronger GPS signals and alternatives, the Advanced Navigation Technology Center will manufacture highly accurate inertial sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese sensors will enable the production of next generation navigation systems, and will significantly increase their performance and capabilities,\u201d a March 10 ministry statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, head of research and development at the ministry\u2019s Directorate of Defense Research and Development, said the center will aid Israel\u2019s technological independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal is to field an independent solution for navigation that can go longer periods of times, through all its missions, without using GPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avi Elisha, general manager for IAI\u2019s division for electro-optical and navigation systems, said the center will use the company\u2019s unique technologies. \u201cOnly a handful of countries have this technology, which is a game-changer in the field of inertial navigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond helping in GPS-denied environments, IAI systems and sensors that work without satellites also provide more accurate navigation, offering the measurements of a gyroscope and from sensors that track acceleration and distance traveled, according to Zalman, head of technologies and research and development at IAI\u2019s navigation division. The state-owned company did not provide his full name for security reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, he pointed out that satellites don\u2019t provide physical dimensions, just measures from space. \u201cIf there is a rocket launcher or tank or missile, you need to know the azimuth [measurement] to move the turret or elevation of the gun to fire, so navigation gives you the azimuth and roll and the altitude,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you fire something, you need navigation regardless of GPS because it gives you altitude to fire a rocket or missile or point the gun to a specific target, so that is the advantage of an inertial system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t