MBDA Missile Systems is exploring a navigation solution for long-range cruise missile systems that would use satellite communications signals to maintain precision navigation accuracies at range, reports Jane’s 360.

MBDA told Jane’s that is has demonstrated for the first time a satcom-aided navigation as part of the Resilient and Autonomous Satcom Navigation (REASON) project. Also taking part in the project are Airbus Defence and Space and ONERA.

REASON is part of the UK/French Materials and Components for Missiles Innovation and Technology Partnership (MCM IPT) programme, for which MBDA is the lead.

REASON is evaluating the technical and system-level feasibility and benefits of using specialist satellite signals to aid navigation.

For a medium-to-long duration flight, cruise missile systems require additional information to support inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors to achieve the required level of guidance accuracy, Jane’s reported. Recent years have seen greater reliance on GPS/GNSS signals to provide navigation updates to correct IMU drift.