Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA), and Advanced Navigation have taken a significant step towards advancing military navigation technologies with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Land Forces 2024 International Defence Exposition.
The agreement, announced on the opening day of the event, will see the companies collaborate on developing high-performance inertial navigation systems (INS) tailored for autonomous, airborne, and crewed systems, Advanced Navigation said in a news release.
These advanced INS solutions will be critical in precision targeting and vehicle navigation in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are contested, spanning both land and air domains.
Chris Shaw, CEO of Advanced Navigation, commented on the collaboration, stating, “The landscape of sovereign defence manufacturing is experiencing a seismic shift, driven by advanced technologies like automation, machine learning, and precision engineering. Traditional approaches are no longer sufficient in meeting the complex demands of modern PNT systems.”
The joint effort will result in the co-developed solutions being integrated into Hanwha Aerospace’s global supply chain, boosting Australia’s and international markets’ access to cutting-edge APNT solutions.
Shaw emphasised the importance of this partnership, adding, “Collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Defence Australia will not only bring together the brightest in engineering minds, it will forge a path toward unrivalled PNT excellence and reinforce our technological sovereignty.”
Dean Michie, Acting Managing Director of Hanwha Defence Australia, expressed excitement about the partnership.
“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Advanced Navigation, as it reinforces our commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing joint advanced military capabilities,” Michie said.
“In support of uplifting the Australian industrial base, we look forward to equipping partners with next-generation solutions for accurate targeting, secure navigation, and synchronised operations in situations where GNSS signals may be degraded. This important sovereign capability will further strengthen the growing Australian South Korean relationship.”
With a focus on enhancing Australia’s manufacturing and supply chain resilience, the partnership will leverage Advanced Navigation’s expertise in digital fibre-optic gyroscope (DFOG) technologies alongside Hanwha’s established aerospace and defence capabilities.
Hanwha’s state-of-the-art facilities in Melbourne will play a crucial role in supporting the production and sustainment of tracked armoured vehicles.
Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) will provide multiple assembly lines, a 1,200-metre test track, and research and development centres, laying the foundation for future technological advancements.
Meanwhile, in New South Wales, Advanced Navigation’s high-tech facility will drive the secure production of strategic-grade DFOGs, one of the few companies in the world capable of manufacturing this technology.
Junghun You, from Hanwha Aerospace, highlighted the broader implications of the partnership.
“Increasing global supply chain capacity will ensure critical defence capabilities remain uninterrupted,” You stated. “These technological strides will position Australia as a trailblazer in defence manufacturing on the international stage and strengthen its national security.”
