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Sydney artificial intelligence robotics and navigation technology manufacturer Advanced Navigation has been awarded a grant by the Australian Department of Defence to advance domestic manufacturing of photonic chips.
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Under the agreement, the company will spearhead the nation’s first commercial manufacturing capability for photonic chips, traditionally used in defence and commercial applications across subsea, marine, aerospace and space applications.
As part of the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant, the Department of Defence has awarded Advanced Navigation $306,631.
Advanced Navigation chief executive officer and co-founder Xavier Orr said the company plans to manufacture 45,000 photonic chips per year.
“The technological breakthroughs enabled by photonic chips offer new opportunities for defence and commercial applications requiring always available, ultra-high accuracy, orientation and navigation, including subsea, marine, robotics, aerospace and space,” he said.
“Advanced Navigation is honoured to be a major driver of this capability and empower technologies to safeguard national security in a time defined by technological warfare and geopolitical uncertainty.”
The award, one of several received by the company, further underscores and validates the earned trust between the department and Advanced Navigation’s capability to deliver innovative solutions addressing the sector’s most critical and emerging needs, according to Orr.
The chips will be used across Advanced Navigation’s high-performance navigation systems, including its Boreas X90, which will be used by Space Machines onboard its orbital servicing vehicle, scheduled to launch off the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in early 2024.
Advanced Navigation uses photonic chips in its fibre-optic gyroscopes inertial navigation systems in global defence forces as a critical capability for assured positioning, navigation and timing across navy, army, and air force to enable autonomous capability, accurate positioning, and high value asset tracking.
“In the context of A-PNT, precision and reliability are non-negotiable. Utilising machine learning, Advanced Navigation’s automated manufacturing process delivers components that function in the most challenging conditions, from subsea to space,” according to a company statement published on 7 December.
“Specifically, advanced quality control mechanisms, such as real-time monitoring and machine vision, can detect defects at the early stage of production. This ensures only components meeting the highest standards are integrated into the navigation system, enhancing overall reliability, quality, and longevity.
“Advanced Navigation’s mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Powered by a deep curiosity to apply groundbreaking technologies to uncover and explore new frontiers, the company is ultimately extending human capabilities to build a more resilient and sustainable future, with safer outcomes.”
