ESA teams up with Leonardo against satnav jamming

Interference is one of the most pressing threats to satellite navigation today. It can disrupt critical systems around the world, leading to significant economic losses. The consequences of interference are far-reaching, from mobility and transport disruptions and impacts to air navigation safety, to serious implications in emergency response efforts.

Through its different Navigation programmes, ESA is actively exploring innovative technologies to increase resilience of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS systems.).

At the Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, representatives of ESA, Leonardo (IT) have signed a contract to research and develop Machine Learning (ML) techniques to steer antenna arrays to block out unwanted signals.

Head of Future Navigation Department at ESA Marco Falcone: “By combining our expertise with Leonardo advanced technologies, we are reinforcing our commitment to resilient, interference-resistant satellite navigation of the future.”

The project will be developed under the umbrella of ESA’s Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NAVISP).Smarter antenna designs for increased resilience.