NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies are collaborating to produce Iridium® STL (Satellite Time & Location)-aided inertial navigation systems (INS) designed to meet the increasing demand for resilient PNT in GNSS-denied environments.
Unlike alternative APNT sources, NAL’s APNT receivers are integrated with the Iridium STL service, which leverages a low-Earth orbit (LEO) transmitted signal approximately 1,000 times stronger than traditional GNSS and is capable of penetrating indoors and other GNSS-obstructed areas.
NAL’s Iridium STL-enabled APNT receivers are particularly suited to uncrewed systems, helping maintain critical operations in areas where GPS/GNSS signals are denied or degraded. For such applications, VectorNav is leveraging its VN-210E GNSS-aided INS, which combines a tactical-grade IMU with an L1/L2 GNSS receiver in a miniature, board-mount package.
Designed for maximum modularity, the VN-210E hosts VectorNav’s tightly coupled INS and includes four serial ports that enable simultaneous integration with multiple external PNT-aiding sources, such as NAL Research’s ALTM GEN2 Mini Iridium STL receiver. When paired, the system provides a high-rate and continuous position, velocity, and attitude solution—even in dynamic applications and GNSS-denied environments.
NAL Research and VectorNav will continue to focus on co-developing product solutions that combine VectorNav’s industrial- and tactical-grade INS with NAL Research’s Iridium STL receivers. Future offerings will focus on reducing SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost), increasing environmental resilience, and supporting MIL-STD compliance for defense and aerospace applications.
NAL Research President, Robert Bills, stated, “This complete offering delivered through our high velocity collaboration with VectorNav will deliver dynamic innovation to the emerging APNT market. Our partnership streamlines our customers’ implementation of alternative APNT sources. We look forward to helping government and enterprise users achieve operational success by enabling the ability to rapidly implement highly accurate and reliable navigation solutions.”
Jakub Maslikowski, VP of Business Development for VectorNav, added, “The demand for robust APNT solutions, manufactured at scale and capable of supporting dynamic autonomous systems, is growing rapidly—particularly in the critical maritime domain. This collaboration with NAL Research will help to realize the emerging LEO satellite PNT capability and strengthen the U.S. and allied nations’ resilience when operating in contested environments.”
Visit VectorNav Technologies at booth #1941 during SOF Week in Tampa, FL, May 5-8.
