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Last Update: 09/25/2026 at 11:41 PM EST
AQNav on the Lumberjack Drone
Coverage from Defence Industry Europe, UAS Vision, and others
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ flight-tested AQNav, a quantum magnetic-navigation system, aboard the Lumberjack Group 3 uncrewed aircraft.
AQNav uses sensitive measurements of Earth’s magnetic-field variations and mapped signatures to provide positioning without satellite signals, complementing Lumberjack’s visual-navigation systems. Demonstrations included repeated launches, flights, and recoveries over land and open water in conditions relevant to GPS jamming or denial. The integration is significant because it adds a resilient navigation option to a relatively small, mission-flexible aircraft designed for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, strike, and other launched-effects roles.
Looking Back
12 Day Timeline
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All Articles12 articles
Important
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ flight-tested quantum magnetic navigation on the Lumberjack military drone in a GPS-denied environment.
9/9/2026 • Military Drones & Battlefield Use • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ demonstrated quantum-sensing magnetic navigation on Lumberjack during military flight testing in GPS-denied environments over open water.
9/14/2026 • Military Drones & Battlefield Use • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ tested GPS-independent AQNav navigation on the Lumberjack attack drone at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, in the 2020s.
9/12/2026 • Military Drones & Battlefield Use • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ tested AQNav magnetic-navigation software on a Lumberjack drone in GPS-challenged flight conditions, recovering the aircraft for reuse.
9/10/2026 • Military Drones & Battlefield Use • General
SandboxAQ and Northrop Grumman flight-tested AQNav on a Lumberjack attack drone on August 11, 2026, demonstrating passive navigation for GPS-denied contested airspace.
9/10/2026 • Military Drones & Battlefield Use • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ completed AQNav magnetic-navigation trials on the Lumberjack attack drone in September 2026 at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, demonstrating flight without GPS or satellite signals.
9/12/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
Northrop Grumman’s Lumberjack uncrewed aircraft completed GPS-denied navigation flights over land and open water using SandboxAQ’s AQNav magnetic-navigation technology.
9/14/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
SandboxAQ and Northrop Grumman completed a flight test of AQNav on the Lumberjack unmanned aircraft, demonstrating GPS-independent magnetic navigation for an attritable platform.
9/9/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ flight-tested AQNav quantum navigation aboard the Lumberjack drone during recent operations for GPS-denied environments.
9/20/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ tested the Lumberjack attack drone over land and open water in the 2020s, demonstrating AQNav navigation after GPS disruption.
9/14/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
Interesting
Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ tested the Lumberjack drone over land and open water using AQNav magnetic navigation during GPS-denied flights.
9/14/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General
SandboxAQ and Northrop Grumman tested AQNav magnetic navigation on the Lumberjack unmanned aircraft to support GPS-denied operations.
9/10/2026 • Drone Technology & Components • General