Hanwha Defence Australia, Hanwha Aerospace and Advanced Navigation Sign MoU to Propel Military Navigation Technology Forward

Advanced Navigation, a world leader in assured positioning navigation and timing (APNT) technologies, with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), global leaders in spacecraft engines, aircraft components and defence solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop strategic-grade APNT solutions.

Signed on the opening day of Land Forces 2024 International Defence Exposition, the agreement will see the three companies collaborate on the development of high-performance inertial navigation systems (INS) for autonomous, airborne and crewed systems.

This will be used for precision targeting and vehicle navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-contested environments across land and air domains.

Under the agreement, the co-developed solutions will be integrated into Hanwha Aerospace’s global supply chain, aiding the advancement of the broader strategic APNT interests for Australia and international markets.

“The landscape of sovereign defence manufacturing is experiencing a seismic shift, driven by advanced technologies like automation, machine learning, and precision engineering. Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient in meeting the complex demands of modern PNT systems,” Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said.

“Collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defense Australia will not only bring together the brightest in engineering minds, it will forge a path toward unrivaled PNT excellence and reinforce our technological sovereignty.”

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Advanced Navigation, as it reinforces our commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing joint advanced military capabilities,” Hanwha Defence Australia, Acting Managing Director Dean Michie said.

“In support of uplifting the Australian industrial base, we look forward to equipping partners with next-generation solutions for accurate targeting, secure navigation, and synchronised operations in situations where GNSS signals may be degraded. This important sovereign capability will further strengthen the growing Australian South Korean relationship.”

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Fusion of Innovation with Advanced Technologies

By integrating Advanced Navigation’s IP in digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technologies with Hanwha's robust aerospace and defence capabilities, the agreement will look to augment Australia’s manufacturing and supply chain resilience to meet the demand of global military supply chains.

Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Melbourne, Australia, will provide critical facilities supporting the production and sustainment of tracked armoured vehicles, including multiple assembly lines, a 1,200-metre test track, a deep-water test facility, an obstacle course and a research and development centre.

Stage 2 of the development will also include Australia’s EMI/EMC (electromagnetic interference/compatibility) chamber and test shooting tunnel alongside an expanded manufacturing capability.

In the neighbouring state of New South Wales, Advanced Navigation’s high-tech manufacturing facility increases the secure production of APNT solutions. Specifically, it enhances the critical output of strategic-grade DFOGs, which possess the heightened sensitivity necessary to detect the Earth's rotation. Advanced Navigation is one of only four companies in the world with the capability to manufacture this technology.

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Fortifying the Future with a Resilient Global Supply Chain

“Increasing global supply chain capacity will ensure critical defence capabilities remain uninterrupted,” Hanwha Aerospace PGM Head of Strategy Mr Junghun You said. “These technological strides will position Australia as a trailblazer in defence manufacturing on the international stage and strengthen its national security.

“The research collaboration between Advanced Navigation, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Defence Australia is underpinned by a legacy of innovation and engineering excellence. Built on decades of disruptive technologies and cutting-edge solutions, forged through rigorous research and development, this MoU is not only a continuation of shared commitments to advancing military capabilities, but a strategic effort to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of defence technology innovation.”

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