Event round-up – Quantum Navigation from R&D Asset to Commercial Opportunity
On 24 September 2026, techUK brought together speakers from the UK Space Agency, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and QinetiQ to explore how the UK can turn its world-class research into commercial reality. The discussion centred on Mission 4 of the Government’s five quantum missions. It aims to deploy quantum navigation systems, including clocks, on aircraft by 2030. These systems would offer next-generation accuracy and resilience without relying on satellite signals.
Where the UK stands on funding and capability
A speaker from the UK Space Agency’s positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) team outlined the funding available through European Space Agency (ESA) routes. The UK has subscribed €53 million to the Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NAVISP) for 2025–2028. This is split across three elements. The first funds innovation in low-TRL projects through published tenders. The second supports commercialisation, with suppliers approaching the UK Space Agency directly. The third covers national projects with a UK government backer. Around 73% of quantum sensing and navigation proposals have been supported. All UK funding must be spent on work carried out in the UK. Upcoming opportunities include a quantum-enabled PNT demonstrator tender under FutureNAV, a new NAVISP quantum tender expected at the end of October, and the chance to shape ESA’s 2027 work plan.
A scientist from NPL described the laboratory’s strengths in atomic clocks, time and frequency transfer over fibre, independent testing and inertial sensing. They stressed that sensitivity alone is rarely the deciding factor. Size, weight, power and cost determine where a sensor can be used. A fridge-sized cold atom sensor may suit a ship but not a drone. NPL’s work on atomic spin gyroscopes, supported by Innovate UK, has helped build a UK component supply chain. It also led to the first test of a quantum navigation system on heavy rail. However, the speaker noted that the chip-scale atomic clock reportedly took around $100 million over ten years to commercialise. Funders must therefore prioritise carefully and weigh questions of sovereignty.
Quantum Navigation: From R&D Asset to Commercial Opportunity Webinar Recording
Crossing the valley of death
The speaker from QinetiQ focused on what it takes to move technology from the lab into service. QinetiQ works as a systems integrator and test and evaluation partner. Funding is available at low TRLs, and buyers exist for mature products, but many technologies stall in between. Success depends on whether a technology solves a valuable operational problem, differs from what is already on the market, and can realistically transition. As they put it, “People don’t want to buy quantum technology. They want to buy a capability.” Their advice was to build hybrid systems that work alongside existing navigation. Developers should demonstrate in real operational environments early and often. They should also agree clear performance metrics with end users.
The panel discussion drew out several shared themes. Detailed user requirements are essential. Maritime platforms need low drift over missions lasting weeks or months. Aircraft, by contrast, demand resilience to high G-forces and tight size and weight limits. NPL highlighted the need for high-volume markets, such as drones, autonomous vehicles and rail monitoring, to motivate suppliers to produce specialist components at scale. The UK Space Agency called for clearer policy where the work of the National PNT Office and the Office for Quantum overlaps. NPL explained how it transfers intellectual property to industry through licensing.
The speakers were asked which areas deserve more attention. They pointed to hot vapour systems, which could be miniaturised, and to magnetometers and inertial navigation. They also highlighted the need to integrate quantum and classical systems through signal processing and data fusion. The message was clear. Delivering Mission 4 will take more than technology push. It will need customer pull, sustained investment and a collaborative ecosystem built starting now.
