Advanced Navigation supports Rheinmetall CRVs

Sydney-based Advanced Navigation will provide Rheinmetall Defence Australia with Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), for Rheinmetall’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV).

This follows a previous deal which saw Advanced Navigation provide 200+ FOG INS to Rheinmetall in 2021 for Australian Army Boxer CRV 8x8s. These vehicles were acquired by the Australian Army under Project LAND400 Ph.2.

“Precise navigation is paramount to the survivability of armoured vehicles,” said Chris Shaw, CEO of Advanced Navigation. “It provides the situational awareness and ability to coordinate with other units needed to stay operational in challenging environments, where GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable”

“In Australia, Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the country’s armed forces. Our PNT solution equips the Boxer CRVs with accurate and robust navigation independent of satellite signals, ensuring they maintain tactical advantage in all conditions, even in electronic warfare scenarios.”

The system is based on Advanced Navigation’s breakthrough algorithmic technology, the company says. This software-enabled hardware allows the FOG INS to deliver navigation data superior to outputs based on traditional filter methods, while hosting a small form factor. The FOG has no moving parts and is so less susceptible to shock and vibration-induced errors when the vehicle is traveling through rough terrain.

Advanced Navigation says its FOG INS is validated in real-world operations and is easily integrated into the Boxer CRV which is in service with armies around the globe. The Boxer CRV is equipped with a reconnaissance mission module including the two-person digital Lance turret; the first crewed medium-calibre turret to be put into service on the Boxer platform.

As one of only four companies in the world to manufacture strategic-grade FOG components, Advanced Navigation’s high-tech Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) facility adopts a vertical integration framework, covering all phases of photonics and FOG development, from design and quality testing to automated manufacturing.