BlackSea Technologies has selected the ANELLO Photonics Maritime Inertial Navigation System (INS) for integration into its Chaser Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) platforms following successful demonstrations on the GARC platform.
The collaboration aims to address the increasing vulnerability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to jamming and spoofing, which pose significant risks to both defense and commercial maritime missions. By incorporating advanced inertial sensing technology, the partnership seeks to accelerate fleet modernization while ensuring that Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) can maintain operational continuity without relying on external satellite signals.
The ANELLO Maritime Inertial Navigation System (INS) is built upon proprietary Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG) technology. This solid-state hardware allows for high-precision heading and positioning performance in challenging environments where GPS may be unavailable or compromised. BlackSea Technologies, a developer of advanced autonomous systems, designed the Chaser platform with a modular architecture to support diverse missions including surveillance and security in contested waters.
Dr. Mario Paniccia, Co-Founder and CEO of ANELLO Photonics, said, “Reliable navigation is fundamental to autonomy, safety, and mission assurance. With the ANELLO Maritime INS now integrated into the Chaser platform, we are delivering proven, high-performance inertial navigation that maintains precise positioning and heading even in GPS-denied environments.”
As autonomous fleets become more prevalent, the ability to maintain resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) has become a critical technical requirement. The integration of the SiPhOG-based system into the Chaser platform provides a navigation solution that functions independently of external data links, bolstering the reliability of the autonomous maritime hardware.
Timothy O’Connor, CSO at BlackSea Technologies, said, “Our collaboration with ANELLO enables a new level of navigation resilience for maritime autonomy. By incorporating ANELLO’s advanced inertial navigation technology, we are strengthening the reliability and mission capability of the Chaser platform for our customers.”
This partnership highlights a broader industry shift toward internalizing navigation capabilities to bypass the risks associated with GNSS dependence in modern maritime operations.
