AIRSENSE SC2

AIRSENSE SC2 is a research and development initiative funded by the European Defence Agency (EDA), in which GMV has been involved since the initial SC1 phase. The project aims to advance resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to operate reliably in challenging environments, even when Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are unavailable or disrupted.

Building on the prototype developed during the SC1 phase, AIRSENSE SC2 focuses on enhancing the system's capabilities and validating its performance under real-world operational conditions, bringing the technology closer to an operational solution.

A major milestone was achieved during the REPMUS 2026 exercise, held in September in Troia, Portugal, where the system was tested across land, coastal, and maritime environments. The flight campaign successfully demonstrated the execution of real-time visual navigation algorithms on board the aircraft, reliable sensor synchronization and communications, and the ability to conduct long-range Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. 

The trials confirmed the system's ability to navigate without satellite signals over land. However, performance was more limited in maritime environments due to the lack of identifiable visual landmarks. As a result, future developments will prioritize land-based operations, with further testing planned during REPMUS 2027.

These achievements represent a significant step toward safer, more autonomous, and resilient UAV operations, supporting future applications in defence, maritime surveillance, critical infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response.