Safran Demonstrates Blacknaute Navigation System on US Army Black Hawk in GPS-Denied Flight Test

Safran Federal Systems has successfully completed a flight demonstration of its Blacknaute inertial navigation system aboard a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, confirming the system’s ability to deliver precise navigation in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments, the company announced on January 21.

The test flight validated Blacknaute’s performance without reliance on satellite navigation, a capability that is becoming increasingly critical as modern battlefields experience widespread GPS jamming, spoofing, and electronic attack. According to Safran, the system maintained an inertial drift of less than 0.4 nautical miles per hour over several hours of continuous operation, meeting operational requirements for rotary-wing aircraft operating in degraded navigation conditions.

“Our demonstration onboard the Army Black Hawk showcases the tactical readiness of Blacknaute,” said Jon Leombrone, Executive Vice President of Navigation Systems at Safran Federal Systems. “Maintaining drift below 0.4 nautical miles per hour over extended operations proves the system’s SWaP-optimised and NAVWAR-resilient design, engineered for rapid deployment across the Joint Force.”

Mission-Ready Navigation in a Contested World

Safran Federal Systems started the year by successfully demonstrating our Blacknaute™ Inertial Navigation System (INS) aboard a @USArmy UH-60 Black Hawk shortly after its debut at #AUSA2025.

Learn more: https://t.co/eqZa3DRWDB pic.twitter.com/b0rPXGxNhB

— Safran Federal Systems (@SafranFedSys) January 21, 2026

Assured Navigation in Contested Environments

Blacknaute was developed as an Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) solution for multi-domain operations, spanning air, land, sea, space, and cyber environments. The system is designed to provide continuous navigation and timing data when Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are unavailable or unreliable due to electronic warfare or signal interference.

Safran noted that GPS denial has become a routine feature of recent conflicts and large-scale military exercises, increasing demand for navigation systems that can operate independently of external signals. The successful Black Hawk flight demonstration confirms Blacknaute’s readiness for integration into operational U.S. Army aviation platforms, particularly in high-threat environments.

Compact Design with High-End Capability

Weighing less than 16 pounds, Blacknaute integrates multiple navigation and timing technologies into a compact unit suitable for helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and space- and power-constrained platforms. This low size, weight, and power (SWaP) profile enables installation without major aircraft modifications.

At the core of the system is Safran’s HRG Dual Core technology, based on hemispherical resonator gyros (HRG). According to the company, this technology has been fielded in over 40,000 units and has accumulated more than 30 million operational hours across defence and aerospace applications. The gyro provides highly accurate inertial reference data, enabling navigation continuity when external signals are lost.

Blacknaute also incorporates an M-Code-ready GNSS receiver, allowing secure access to military-grade satellite signals when available, along with multi-constellation compatibility for enhanced resilience. For timing, the system features an ultra-stable atomic clock capable of maintaining accuracy with a drift of less than one second over 30,000 years, supporting mission system synchronisation even during prolonged signal outages.

Countering Electronic Warfare Threats

To address active electronic threats, Blacknaute includes built-in interference detection and mitigation capabilities designed to identify and counter GPS jamming and spoofing attempts in real time. Safran said this significantly improves aircraft survivability and mission continuity in electronic warfare environments.

The system’s open architecture complies with U.S. military open systems standards, including MIL-STD interfaces and TSO-C220 requirements, enabling seamless integration with existing modular avionics and mission systems across U.S. and allied platforms.

Focus on Rotary-Wing Operations

The UH-60 Black Hawk demonstration highlights the U.S. Army’s growing emphasis on assured navigation for rotary-wing aviation, which often operates at low altitude, in complex terrain, and within range of ground-based electronic warfare systems. Helicopters are particularly vulnerable to navigation disruption due to terrain masking and proximity to hostile emitters.

Safran stated that Blacknaute is designed for rapid fielding across multiple Army and joint platforms, supporting ongoing aviation modernisation efforts without requiring extensive aircraft redesign.

Safran Federal Systems provides navigation and PNT solutions to Safran Defense & Space, supporting classified and unclassified U.S. defence programmes that require resilient positioning and timing under combat conditions.