The Royal Navy say it has successfully completed trials of advanced cold atom technology aboard HMS Pursuer, exploring new capabilities in navigation and covert monitoring that operate independently of GPS.
The trial, a collaboration between the Royal Navy’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and UK-based quantum technology firm Aquark Technologies, showcased the potential of miniature cold atom systems for precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) in environments where GPS may be unreliable, according to a news update.
Aquark Technologies’ unique laser-cooling method, known as “supemolasses,” was central to the technology trial. Unlike traditional methods, this technique does not require a magnetic field, thus reducing the equipment’s size, weight, and power needs—making it more adaptable for naval use.
Cold atoms, laser-cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero, display controlled quantum properties, enabling them to detect subtle changes in motion, and electric and magnetic fields, making them invaluable for high-precision sensing.
Commander Matthew Steele, who leads future technology development for OCTO, commented in the news update: “Quantum technologies being developed in the UK will offer an alternative PNT capability necessary to operate effectively in GPS-denied or degraded environments. Over the next three years, the Navy seeks to accelerate the development of quantum technologies – such as Aquark’s – to secure a non-GPS-based PNT capability and maintain our global operating advantage.”
The Royal Navys ay that throughout the trials on HMS Pursuer, cold atoms were continuously generated across various ship locations, although magnetic shielding remains a challenge for refinement. These findings will inform the development of Aquark’s prototype atomic clock system, AQlock, aimed to be the UK’s first commercial cold atom clock. Aquark Technologies recently received €5 million in seed funding, led by the NATO Innovation Fund and MBDA, a defence partnership between Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, to support advancements in quantum technology for defence.
Lieutenant John Hawke, Commanding Officer of HMS Pursuer, stated in the news release: “It was a privilege to conduct these trials with Aquark Technologies. The Royal Navy is at the cutting edge of modern technology, and assisting in developing new products is key to maintaining our operational advantage while also supporting UK industry.”
Andrei Dragomir, Co-Founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, emphasised the significance of the successful trials: “With this latest trial of our technology at sea, we are continuing to show the real-life applications of our technology. Demonstrating these cold atom systems in real-world environments will drive us towards deployable systems, and we look forward to further refining our technology with our recent investments.”
The Royal Navy’s commitment to pioneering non-GPS PNT solutions represents a significant step forward in maintaining its operational capabilities globally, even under GPS-denied conditions.