Extending Mission Range for Greater Flexibility: The Evolution of Small UAS Capabilities

Electronic warfare (EW) is pervasive in modern battlespaces, so how can we ensure that missions remain flexible and successful when a single, all-encompassing solution to GPS and GNSS interference does not currently exist?

“Even the quest for a silver bullet to solve the problem of GPS interference is a flawed concept,” says Allen Gardner, Chief Technology Officer at Edge Autonomy, a leading provider and OEM of autonomous uncrewed aircraft systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions.

“The more effective tactic is to have the capacity to quickly incorporate new innovations to augment your solution. “As new technology emerges, you integrate. As the adversary changes, you adapt.”

The Increasing Rise of Interference

The deliberate jamming of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)—when a competing signal broadcasts “noise” that overpowers the GNSS/GPS signal, rendering it unusable—is a routine challenge to military and commercial operations alike.

While slightly more difficult to execute, signal spoofing—when an adversary broadcasts on the same signal to confuse data, resulting in inaccurate positioning or time—is no less threatening to mission success.

Both spoofing and jamming are on the rise – in both battle zones and commercial aviation – and must be actively addressed to maintain an upper hand and ensure that aircraft and weapons are not compromised.

The electronic warfare market had an estimated value of $18.45B in 2024 and is expected to reach $27.35B by 2031¹. With EW strategies presenting a constant threat—one capable of immense financial and strategic damage—it is critical that we explore a wide range of options to keep this threat at bay.

Electronic Warfare and Real-World Implications

From Finland to Poland to Turkey – and of course in the Ukraine conflict – Eastern Europe has seen GNSS and GPS interference become a significant disruptor.

Russian jamming of satellite-guided weapons has had a significant impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory, decreasing the effectiveness of existing solutions and sending military officials on a renewed hunt for newer and more sophisticated technology².

“When you’re facing an adversary who will stop at nothing to interfere with your mission and endanger the men and women defending freedom on the front lines it is imperative that we bring every available resource into play to protect our allies, whether they are foreign or domestic,” says Tuna Djemil, Vice President of Business Development & Strategy for Edge Autonomy. “The battlefield is constantly evolving, which means we innovate in step with real-world mission needs.”

Adaptation and Integration at the Speed of the Modern Battlefield

As geopolitical crises escalate, so will the complications caused by GPS/GNSS interference. Emerging drone warfare will perpetuate jamming and spoofing attacks as uncrewed aircraft and autonomous vehicles play an increasingly central role in current conflicts.

Despite the lack of a silver bullet solution to GPS/GNSS interference, defending military operations while increasing mission flexibility in the face of mounting EW is possible. How can the U.S. military, NATO, and other allies maintain an edge over insidious adversaries?

Rapid adaptation is a must as we confront the widespread EW threats that exist in today’s battlespaces. By developing new technologies that are not dependent on GPS/GNSS – including solutions that utilize position, navigation, and timing (PNT) – we can stay ahead of nefarious spoofing and jamming techniques.

Beyond GPS: Advances in Position, Navigation, and Timing for Maximum UAS Flexibility

PNT technologies serve to augment and complement GPS and range from self-contained navigation techniques to radar sensing to advanced tracking solutions through Artificial Intelligence to front-end cyber solutions and beyond.

“The key is flexibility,” explains Djemil. “This interference game of cat-and-mouse calls for the ability to quickly pivot existing technology, adapt new technology, and keep your finger on the pulse of how to combine the two in order to thwart our adversaries.”

Modularity to Meet Mission Needs

Why is adaptability so critical to advanced navigation systems capable of withstanding the constant threat of GPS/GNSS interference? While several reliable defenses do exist for the UAS and their navigation, none are effective in every circumstance or environment. Adapting a modular open systems approach (MOSA) means that rather than relying on a single technology, users can augment and build upon the base system over time as new technologies become available.

The most EW-resilient UAS will be aircraft capable of seamlessly integrating the new and ever-evolving defensive technologies that arise to counter debilitating attacks. Advanced platforms like a PNT fusion engine ensure accuracy by combining data from multiple sensors for reliable, robust, and accurate position and time determination, even in environments where GPS signals may be either interfered with or unavailable.

“When a UAS can combine multiple GPS-denied technologies so that the strength of one overcomes the weaknesses of another, what you get is an adaptable and uniquely robust solution,” Gardner explains.

Edge Autonomy’s Battle Proven Stalker UAS

Rather than rely on a single technology, Edge Autonomy’s Stalker uncrewed system can fly in GPS/GNSS-denied environments by employing a PNT fusion engine that interfaces with multiple technologies (both current and future), uniting them in a navigation solution that provides the warfighter with the data needed to make decisions quickly and accurately to meet mission needs even in a rapidly changing environment.

The modular architecture of the Stalker design provides the agility needed to pivot quickly, advancing the mission no matter the circumstance.

“Intentional awareness of real-world adversarial threats uniquely positions us to come alongside our customers,” says Joshua Stinson, Chief Growth Officer at Edge Autonomy. “We designed the Stalker with maximum flexibility in mind, knowing that the ability to integrate new technologies and adapt to emerging threats, especially when it comes to electronic warfare, is vital for mission success in today’s dynamic environments.”

Learn more about the battle proven Stalker, and how a modular open systems approach can positively impact positioning, navigation, and timing – even under contested or austere circumstances:

¹https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/industry-reports/electronic-warfare-market

²https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2024-05-24/russian-jamming-high-tech-weapons-ukraine-13964032.html

Desiray Johnston knows how to build a strong team. A former Division I basketball player for California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, Desiray credits a lifetime of competitive sports with giving her a solid foundation in leadership, communication, and time management skills, as well as the ability to work well in teams while managing stressful situations.

As Senior Production Manager for the Edge Autonomy San Luis Obispo manufacturing facility, Desiray oversees the production floor where UAS technology and resilient energy solutions are built. With more than a decade of engineering and production experience in the aerospace industry, she understands how to foster an inclusive environment where engineers, technicians, and other team members are equipped with the tools needed to excel in their roles and pursue career advancement.

Desiray joined Edge Autonomy in March 2023 because she was attracted to the culture of continuous innovation and effective teamwork across all departments. She was also motivated by the company’s potential for future growth and wanted to be part of the excitement.

“I have spent my career honing my skills in manufacturing operations, project management, engineering, and process improvement,” she says. “I saw so much potential at Edge Autonomy and knew it would be a dynamic place to continue growing my career while helping the company meet its goals and prepare for product and solution expansion.”

Getting to witness this accelerated development on the production floor is both the most rewarding and challenging part of Desiray’s role.

“Our processes quickly grew from a prototype environment to a serial production facility,” she explains. “Throughout 2023 we saw a 300% increase in production, and we’re on track to continue this growth trend in 2024 as well.”

How did Desiray help her team achieve such an aggressive ramp rate increase?

She believes relying on team members with product and process knowledge played a major role, as did value stream mapping and incorporating Lean Six Sigma tools. Desiray has her Lean Six Sigma certification—the foremost training for leading project teams and managing process improvement initiatives. She’s currently a Master Black Belt.

“For effective change management in a rapidly growing company like Edge Autonomy, you’ve got to know the why,” she adds. “In my opinion, that why is the balance between innovations that directly benefit our forces in the field and working alongside my team to help grow and advance them personally and professionally.”

To achieve outstanding results in a short timeframe, Desiray creates a vision statement for what success means. For her team in San Luis Obispo, that vision statement is: “To cultivate a dynamic and innovative environment where collaboration, continuous improvement, and teamwork thrive, empowering our team to achieve rapid growth and build a quality product our customers can rely on and exceed expectations.”

Throughout her career, Desiray has also taken steps that push her outside her comfort zone, pursuing mentorship programs and professional development opportunities that stretch her capacities.

“Being willing to reflect on your progress and then adapt is key,” she explains.

Clear and empathetic communication is another skill that Desiray values. “You’ve got to know your audience and how to best communicate with them,” she says. “It’s important to ask for advice and surround yourself with individuals who have the skillset you want to develop so you can learn from them.”

The growing capabilities of Edge Autonomy’s next generation of UAVs—Group 2 uncrewed aircraft with increased range and payload capacity—along with continuous improvements to processes and mission-based innovations, keep things interesting for Desiray and her team. “I’m excited about the future of uncrewed systems with forthcoming AI enhancements like real-time data processing and decision-making.”

As a parent to a two-year-old daughter and five-month-old son, Desiray doesn’t have much time to relax, but she stays physically and mentally healthy outside of work by pursuing outdoor activities and her lifelong love of sports.

The lessons in leadership and teamwork provided by athletics have undoubtedly benefitted Desiray’s co-workers at the San Luis Obispo manufacturing facility in tangible ways.

“I’m proud of the team we’ve built,” she says. “We’re a diverse and inclusive group of people. We’re all striving to reach common goals so that Edge Autonomy continues on this path of remarkable growth.”

Looking for career advancement and opportunities that provide a meaningful impact to national security and aviation innovations? Explore our open positions and check out what life is like at Edge Autonomy.