The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £6 million contract to develop navigation technology designed to keep military operations running when satellite signals are jammed or manipulated.
The two-year Urgent Compass programme will focus on enhanced Long-Range Navigation, known as eLoran, which uses ground-based low-frequency signals rather than satellites. The technology is intended to provide an alternative source of positioning, navigation and timing data in contested environments.
The contract has been awarded to Team Elaris, a QinetiQ-led partnership involving UrsaNav, Roke and GMV NSL. The Ministry of Defence said the programme is currently in its assessment phase and is expected to produce a deployable system by April 2028.
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Accurate navigation is essential to modern military operations, from troop movements to the use of guided weapons. When satellite signals are blocked or spoofed, personnel can be misdirected and equipment can lose accuracy.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the investment was aimed at improving battlefield resilience and protecting operations from adversaries seeking to interfere with military networks.
The programme builds on existing MOD work in resilient navigation and is expected to inform future deployment options, while supporting UK companies working in advanced defence technology.
