NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies collaborate to develop a solution for GNSS/GPS-denied environments

NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies, two US-based leaders in Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solutions, have announced a joint development to produce Iridium STL (Satellite Time & Location)-aided Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) designed to meet the increasing demand for resilient PNT in GNSS-denied environments.

GPS/GNSS signals are increasingly susceptible to vulnerabilities such as jamming/spoofing, outages, and other challenges. An alternative source of APNT is crucial for enabling continuous access to accurate location data and time synchronization. Unlike other APNT sources, NAL’s APNT receivers are integrated with Iridium STL service, which leverages a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) transmitted signal approximately 1,000 times stronger than traditional GNSS and is capable of penetrating indoors and other GNSS-obstructed areas. Operators of uncrewed systems, in particular, can benefit from implementing an INS solution that leverages NAL’s Iridium STL-enabled APNT receivers to maintain critical operations in areas where GPS/GNSS are denied or degraded.

For such applications, VectorNav is leveraging its VN-210E GNSS-Aided INS, which combines a tactical-grade IMU with an L1/L2 GNSS receiver in a miniature, board-mount package. Designed for maximum modularity, the VN-210E hosts VectorNav’s tightly-coupled INS and includes four serial ports that enable simultaneous integration with multiple external PNT-aiding sources, such as NAL Research’s ALTM Gen2 Mini Iridium STL receiver. When paired, the system provides a high-rate and continuous position, velocity, and attitude solution—even in dynamic applications and in GNSS-denied environments.

“This complete offering delivered through our high velocity collaboration with VectorNav will deliver dynamic innovation to the emerging APNT market,” said NAL Research President, Robert Bills. “Our partnership streamlines our customers’ implementation of alternative APNT sources. We look forward to helping government and enterprise users achieve operational success by enabling the ability to rapidly implement highly accurate and reliable navigation solutions.”

NAL Research and VectorNav will continue to focus on co-developing product solutions that combine VectorNav’s industrial and tactical-grade INS with NAL Research’s Iridium STL receivers. Future offerings will focus on reducing SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost), increasing environmental resilience, and supporting MIL-STD compliance for defense and aerospace applications.

“The demand for robust APNT solutions, manufactured at scale and capable of supporting dynamic autonomous systems, is growing rapidly—particularly in the critical maritime domain,” says Jakub Maslikowski, VP of Business Development for VectorNav. “This collaboration with NAL Research will help to realize the emerging LEO satellite PNT capability and strengthen the US and allied nations’ resilience when operating in contested environments.”