VANAV

Reliable Positioning with Visual Navigation

Modern aircraft typically rely on signals from global navigation systems such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS to determine position and execute missions. However, these signals can be easily jammed or spoofed by adversaries. Such interference may force an aircraft to abort its mission and return to base, or even result in a crash due to loss of control. VANAV is an innovative, passive navigation solution developed to eliminate this issue. Images captured by onboard cameras are processed with advanced computer vision and AI techniques to obtain precise position and orientation. Thus, even without Global Navigation Satellite System signals—and even in jamming/spoofing environments—the aircraft can continue its mission safely and uninterrupted. VANAV operates entirely on-board as a passive system, requires no external signals, and is resistant to interference, providing superior reliability and operational continuity, particularly in military and security-focused operations.

Project Info

  • Category: Visual Navigation, Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence
  • Scope: Passive position, velocity, and orientation in GNSS jamming/spoofing environments
  • Platform: Fixed/rotary-wing UAVs and various drone types
  • Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu)
  • Processing Unit: NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Industrial 64 GB
  • Outputs: Position (2D/3D), velocity, acceleration, orientation, confidence score
  • Accuracy (Typical): 2D ~7 m @ 1500 ft; 3D ~10 m @ 1500 ft
  • Power Consumption (Typical): ~40 W

Highlights

  • • Passive navigation in GNSS-denied environments
  • • AI-powered visual localization
  • • Architecture resistant to jamming/spoofing
  • • Low-latency real-time processing
  • • Return-to-Home (RTH) and route continuity
  • • Lightweight, compact, low power

Technical Specs

  • Data Output Rate: 10 Hz (instantaneous output)
  • Image Processing: 25 Hz (platform/conditions dependent)
  • Operating Temperature: -20 °C ~ +55 °C
  • Operating Altitude Range: 50-900 m
  • Power (Field): 15-45 W
  • Generated Data: Position, velocity, orientation, acceleration, confidence score
* Typical values from PDF; field ranges provided in the technical table.

Architecture

VANAV is a modular system integrated with the flight computer, combining visual odometry, visual localization, and PnP-based methods. It runs on-edge without external connectivity.

  • • Independent module integration
  • • Bi-directional communication with mission computer
  • • Activation without interfering with manual control
  • • Operation in jammer/spoofing environments

Field Tests - Summary

  • Kalecik/TR - 12.11.2022: Initial flight tests.
  • HAVELSAN - Karaağlı - 01.03.2023, 04.07.2023 (noon), 12.07.2023 (evening): Multiple mission profiles.
Test-1 (Mar’23)

500 m, 30 min, 837 images → 811 coordinates | Accuracy: ~20 m (2D), ~37 m (3D)

Test-2 (Jul’23/Noon)

500 m, 900 images → 751 coordinates | Accuracy: ~24 m (2D), ~41 m (3D)

Test-3 (Jul’23/Evening)

500 m, 2000 images → 1751 coordinates | Accuracy: ~22 m (2D), ~36 m (3D)

Figures compiled from field summaries.