ESA selects Rift Dynamics for interference-proof drone navigation

01 Nov 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Norway’s Rift Dynamics to develop a resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solution for low-cost expendable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in GNSS-challenged environments. The project follows a call for projects by the Norwegian Space Agency to support the development of resilient PNT solutions. 

Funded through ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP), the project will support the Sandnes-based company in maturing its solution to Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7) through a series of jamming, spoofing and Arctic trials. 

The solution aims to provide up to 10 minutes of reliable operation in GNSS-denied conditions while maintaining bounded positioning drift and rapid reconvergence once GNSS signals become available again. Designed for integration into low-cost UAV platforms, it seeks to make resilient navigation affordable for large-scale fleet deployment. 

Building on an architecture combining GNSS and Inertial Navigation System (INS) sensors with integrity monitoring, the system will integrate complementary navigation aids including low-light optical sensors, terrain-matching techniques and radio-based ranging capabilities. The project will also assess the benefits of Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) technology to further enhance resilience against interference. 

“Over the past few years, the drone sector has been expanding rapidly, with operational services emerging across defence, transport, public safety and infrastructure operations. Through this project, we are helping establish the foundations for resilient UAV navigation technologies that can support the continued growth and adoption of drone services across Europe,” says Rafael Lucas Rodriguez, Head of NAVISP at ESA.