Point at home: the new complex will simplify the operation of light drones without a satellite signal

Russia has created the first alternative navigation system, initially designed for light drones. It allows drones to continue flying without a signal from the global satellite system. The technology runs on low-power single-board computers, reducing cost and power consumption without reducing flight time, making it affordable for mass-scale UAVs. Read more about the innovation in the Izvestia article.

Where the new navigation system will be useful

A new complex of autonomous navigation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has been developed in Russia, which can be used in the complete absence of satellite data. The main feature of the modular Alternative navigation System (MANS) solution was its initial focus on lightweight drones and affordable computing platforms. Thanks to deep optimization of the program code, it is able to work even on low-power single-board computers based on the ARM architecture. This reduces the load on the UAV's battery and allows you to keep flight time at the level of satellite navigation devices, the developers said.

The positioning of the device is carried out by combining the data of two modules: optical and inertial, that is, based on inertia. Such a solution can work both on the basis of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and using a mechanical gyro module developed by the project engineers. Additionally, data from the on-board camera is used, which is compared with images of the area or analyzed without reference to specific objects.

The system uses high-speed image processing algorithms that do not require recognition of landmarks or individual objects. This speeds up calculations and reduces computing power requirements. The approach makes it possible to use compact and inexpensive computing platforms, which makes the technology promising for mass use on light drones.

MANCE can work both with preloaded terrain maps and offline. In the latter case, the complex determines the movement of the device based on sensor data and sequential image analysis. When using satellite maps, navigation accuracy is improved by automatically linking data from the on-board camera to the map, which avoids the accumulation of errors typical of inertial systems.

According to Sergey Perekatov, the lead developer of the project, when working with maps, the technology compares images from on-board cameras with satellite data, and flight orientation is calculated based on information from the gyromodule.

— The probability of navigation failure is about 0.2–0.3%. The solution is currently undergoing integration into pilot batches of drones. In the future, we expect to bring the complex to foreign markets, including countries in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia," said Sergey Perekatov.

The key feature of the complex is the high degree of optimization of algorithms. This allows you to use inexpensive single-board computers without significantly increasing power consumption, according to the developer. As a result, the system can be used on light UAVs without the need to install powerful computers or increase battery capacity. In addition, the complex is able to work without preloaded terrain maps, which also distinguishes it from many existing solutions on the market.

The project is being implemented with the grant support of the NTI Foundation for residents of BAS research and production centers. By the end of 2025, the fund has allocated more than 4 billion rubles for the development of 136 developments within the framework of the national project "Unmanned Aircraft Systems". Funds were allocated for the development of prototype drones, the creation of components and subsystems, as well as the organization of mass production.

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What tasks does the navigation system solve?

According to Yuri Molodykh, director of the Up Great Technology Competition System Development Center at the NTI Foundation, the development solves the problem of fully autonomous navigation of unmanned aircraft. Unlike a number of existing solutions that require the placement of external beacons or repeaters along the route, the complex operates solely due to the on-board equipment of the device.

— This is especially important for search and rescue operations and the work of emergency services, where it is impossible to deploy the navigation infrastructure in advance. At the moment, there are not only commercial analogues with comparable characteristics, but also patented solutions of this type," the expert noted.

Nikolay Ryashin, CEO of Rusdronoport and market expert at NTI Aeronet, called the development in demand for the unmanned aviation industry. According to him, navigation technologies that do not depend on satellite communications are necessary to solve a wide range of applied tasks.

— The key issues remain the practical effectiveness of the solution, its cost and compatibility with various types of drones. It is also important to determine which devices the system can be installed on and how easily it integrates into existing platforms," he said.

The complex is designed to perform terrain monitoring tasks, and can also be used in agriculture. It is able to navigate even in the absence of downloaded terrain maps, which allows it to be used in new or hard-to-reach areas. When flying at an altitude of more than 300 m, additional data can be combined with domestic satellite maps of the area, the expert explained.

The level of technological readiness of the development is estimated as high — TRL 8, which corresponds to the stage of almost completed tests of the prototype. The complex has already been tested in the absence of satellite navigation and is being prepared for implementation. The final acceptance tests are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.