261 - SPARTA - Secure and Resilient PNT for UAVs in GNSS-Denied Environments

SPARTA is an innovative project that aims to develop a next-generation solution for resilient UAV navigation, addressing the critical challenges of GNSS vulnerability to spoofing, jamming and operation in GNSS-degraded or denied environments. The UAV market is rapidly expanding in sectors such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, public safety and defence. As operations grow in complexity and scale, reliable and secure navigation becomes essential for safety, efficiency and regulatory compliance. 

Current UAV Navigation Subsystems depend heavily on GNSS, which is increasingly exposed to sophisticated threats and signal disruptions. Traditional receivers lack the robustness to detect and counter spoofing attacks or to ensure navigation continuity in obstructed or denied environments. This gap creates an urgent need for innovative PNT solutions that combine accuracy, resilience and trustability. 

SPARTA introduces an innovative navigation device that fulfils these needs through three main innovations: 

➢ Multi-sensor, multi-constellation GNSS with spoofing protection: leveraging ASPIS, a proprietary, patented, AI-based detection engine, to ensure trusted positioning data even under attack. 

➢ Complementary navigation paths: integration of 5G+IMU fusion and Vision-Based Navigation to maintain absolute PVT in GNSS-degraded or denied scenarios. 

➢ Modular and UAV-ready architecture: a compact, low-SWaP device with standard avionics interfaces and a flexible design that allows future integration of additional sensors or technologies. 

SPARTA will deliver accurate positioning under nominal conditions, continuity of navigation in GNSS-denied environments, and real-time spoofing detection. Two configurations will be defined: SPARTA Core, targeting professional UAV applications such as logistics and infrastructure inspection, and SPARTA Full, adding VisionBased Navigation for mission-critical use cases including public safety and defence ISR. 

The project, led by WAY4WARD with SWHARD as subcontractor, will run for 18 months and bring the SPARTA device to TRL7+. By combining advanced GNSS, AI-based spoofing detection, 5G positioning and vision technologies in a single integrated solution, SPARTA will provide UAV manufacturers and operators with a European-built, secure and resilient navigation system ready for industrialisation..