Honeywell Launches Kestrel Drone Navigation Solution

Honeywell Aerospace has launched its Kestrel compact navigation solution, which it says is designed to help uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operate reliably in contested environments where GPS signals may be degraded, jammed, or spoofed. Announcing Kestrel on June 17, the company said it is around 40% smaller than comparable navigation systems, “while still delivering an up to 80% improvement in navigation accuracy for uncrewed platforms.”

Kestrel combines Honeywell's HG3900 MEMS inertial measurement unit with an M-code receiver and a multi-GNSS receiver, and it could be used for other defense and commercial aircraft. The company said it has been designed to meet the specific needs of Group 2 and 3 collaborative combat aircraft and loitering munitions platforms. It is also suitable for crewed aircraft where weight, size, power, and costs are important considerations.

According to Honeywell, the improved navigational accuracy supported by Kestrel could reduce drone operating costs by as much as 50%. The U.S.-based group said the technology will help operators “efficiently scale deployment across high-volume drone operations” and be available in configurations “that support international and non-ITAR deployments.”

“Kestrel reflects the evolving needs of today’s uncrewed operations, where operators are looking for resilient navigation technology that is smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager of navigation and sensors at Honeywell Aerospace. The system, he added, will help (UAS) operators “maintain mission objectives in environments where legacy GPS systems are lagging behind.”