GPS Anti-Jamming Comes To UAVs

GPS Anti-Jamming Comes To UAVs

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As unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) grow in popularity, so do the worries about them. In response, several anti-drone systems have hit the market, including those relying on GPS jamming technology to halt a drone in its tracks or bring it down to the ground. Now, the cat and mouse game has moved on to the next level with NovAtel’s compact GAJT anti-jam antenna.

The GAJT is now equipped on the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAV from Vienna-based Schiebel. The company is a long-time customer of NovAtel’s high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning technology.

The first real-world test for the anti-jam technology came in 2015 and it was a true trial by fire. In 2015, Schiebel received an urgent call from a customer with an “immediate operations requirement to combat GPS jamming,” UAS Vision reports. NovAtel quickly supplied Schiebel with its off-the-shelf anti-jam antenna, which the latter immediately equipped on a CAMCOPTER for the customer.

“It was the fast response, followed by the excellent performance of our GAJT anti-jam antenna that has led to Schiebel offering the GAJT antenna as a standard option on their CAMCOPTER S-100.” said Peter Soar, Business Development Manager for NovAtel’s Military and Defence group. “Every once in a while, timing is on your side. The opportunity to prove our ability to meet urgent supply requests, followed by demonstration of our antenna capabilities in real conditions, has allowed us to positively impact the success of our customer’s business.”

GAJT is a null-forming antenna system which is available in versions suitable for land, air, sea, and fixed installations to ensure that satellite signals are always available for timing and positioning purposes. It’s much cheaper than its competitors, but doesn’t lag behind in capabilities. It can even be easily retrofitted into existing GPS receivers and navigation systems.