The Ministry of Defence has achieved a first by successfully completing commercial flight trials of a new quantum-based positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system that cannot be jammed or spoofed by hostile actors.
The system is designed to stop flights from being affected by GPS jamming, which is a rare occurrence, while also providing accurate and resilient navigation that complements current satellite systems.
Infleqtion, a quantum technology company, has been working with aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ on the project, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said.
Trials were completed at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire this week.
These tests are the first time that this sort of ground-breaking technology has been tested in the UK on an aircraft in flight, the department said.
They are also the first such flights worldwide that have been publicly acknowledged, it added.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith, who was aboard the final test flight on Thursday, said: “From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation systems that are accurate, safe and secure.
“The scientific research we are supporting here on quantum technology could well provide the resilience to protect our interests.
“The fact that this technology has flown for the first time in British skies is further proof of the UK as one of the world leaders on quantum.”
Revolutionary system
A compact Tiqker optical atomic clock and a tightly confined ultra-cold-atom-based quantum system were among the technology demonstrated in a series of test flights.
It is hoped the technology may form part of a quantum inertial navigation system (Q-INS), which has the potential to revolutionise PNT.
It could offer a system with exceptional accuracy and resilience, independent of traditional satellite navigation using GPS.
The project is backed by about £8 million ($10m) from the government.
This funding, with the £2.5 billion National Quantum Strategy and the National Quantum Technologies Programme, aims to improve the UK’s position as a leading quantum-enabled economy.
Precision clocks are key to modern PNT technology, which helps with location, navigation and keeping track of time.
The test is part of a project funded by UK Research and Innovation to try to create quantum sensors to address Britain’s heavy reliance on systems such as GPS for location, navigation and timing data.
It is thought that this dependence could create a vulnerability, in which a failure such as jamming or spoofing GPS signals could disrupt critical economic, defence and strategic activities.
'Successful flight trials'
Infleqtion UK president Dr Timothy Ballance and Henry White, of BAE Systems, described the trials as “a significant step forward” in the development of quantum PNT solutions.
“The work we have done directly addresses the critical need to reduce our reliance on satellite navigation systems, which are vulnerable to various risks,” Dr Balance said.
“The successful flight trials demonstrate the potential of quantum technology in overcoming navigation system challenges, which is an exciting development for future applications in the aerospace industry and beyond.”
Mr White believes the trials could help in developing quantum technology that could “ultimately offer a significant military advantage”.
“Knowing reliably and precisely when and where any asset and sensor system are, feeds into additional options for platform design and capability,” he added.
“This will play a big role in supporting the development of next-generation combat air systems.
“Working closely with wider industry and experts now, at the early stages of the technology development, helps us to shape the solution in a way that ensures the technology can be integrated for military applications.”
The consortium working alongside Infleqtion includes the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Alter Technology UK, Caledonian Photonics, Redwave Labs, PA Consulting, BAE Systems and QinetiQ.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
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There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
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Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The specs
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On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
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Touring range: 591km
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On sale: Deliveries start in October
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
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