Advanced Navigation to supply navigation system for Boxer CRV

Assured positioning, navigation and timing (APNT) technologies and autonomous systems specialist Advanced Navigation has finalised a multi-million deal with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to supply fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG) inertial navigation systems (INS).

The systems will be integrated into Rheinmetall’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV), now in service with the Australian Army.

This follows a previous deal which saw Advanced Navigation provide 200+ FOG INS to Rheinmetall in 2021 for the Boxer CRV. These vehicles were acquired by the Australian Army as part of the LAND 400 Phase 2m.

Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said precise navigation was paramount to the survivability of armoured vehicles.

Shaw said: “It provides the situational awareness and ability to coordinate with other units needed to stay operational in challenging environments, where GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable.

“In Australia, Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the country’s armed forces.

“Our PNT solution equips the Boxer CRVs with accurate and robust navigation independent of satellite signals, ensuring they maintain tactical advantage in all conditions, even in electronic warfare scenarios.”

The system supplied for Boxer houses Advanced Navigation’s algorithmic technology, software-enabled hardware that allows the FOG INS to deliver navigation data superior to outputs based on traditional filter methods.

The built-in optical gyroscope technology has no moving parts, making it less susceptible to shock and vibration-induced errors, which is critical when the vehicle is travelling through rough terrain.

The FOG INS is easily integrated into the Boxer CRV, armoured 8×8 vehicle.

Advanced Navigation said the collaboration with Rheinmetall ‘appeals’ to the Australian Defence Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program, which aims to increase the number of Australian suppliers and export opportunities with large defence primes.

Picture: Advanced Navigation’s manufacturing facility