Muon-based research could facilitate Arctic operations
A multinational team has won the latest Global-X Challenge competition to develop a new navigation solution for GPS-denied Arctic locations.
The winning project includes input from Finnish, Japanese, UK and US researchers and is led by Dr Chris Steer, MD of UK-based Geoptic Infrastructure Investigations Limited.
They aim in nine months to demonstrate a proof-of-concept alternative navigation system for the Arctic, using naturally occurring cosmic ray muons with equal precision to GPS as an alternative to satellite-derived data.
The Global-X Challenge is co-funded annually by the USN Office of Naval Research (ONR) and US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command.
Steer said in a 23 November statement released by the ONR: ‘Like echolocation, the timing difference between ‘pings’ — the signals from a crossing muon in our detectors – can allow the user to measure the distance from one detector to another with multiple detectors allowing location by triangulation. The technique has already been tested [successfully] in the laboratory.’
Dr Charles Eddy, lead ONR science director for the project, noted how polar navigation is becoming more important as melting icecaps open up Arctic waterways to merchant shipping and naval vessels.
He added: ‘This project, which uses cosmic relativistic particles that continuously impinge on the Earth’s entire surface, offers an innovative approach to the challenge of navigation at high latitudes with little or no GPS service.’
More from Defence Notes
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
-
European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy
The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.
-
Boeing fined $51 million due to unauthorised exports
An administrative settlement between the US Department of State and the manufacturer resolved 199 violations of US regulations including unauthorised exports of technical data to China.