Increased Autonomy for Unmanned Resupply Aircraft, Alternative Position and Navigation System.

Psionic provides accurate navigation with low emissions and requires no external signals via an available and demonstrated technology designated SurePath™, TRL 7.  SurePath is a velocity centric Inertial Navigation System (INS) which determines position by accurately measuring surface relative velocity vectors and traditional inertial sensors. SurePath is based upon the Navigational Doppler Lidar (NDL) which Psionic exclusively licenses from NASA for commercialization opportunities.  NASA invested over a decade of research and development to produce this lidar technology for autonomous lunar landing and space exploration. Psionic leverages this NASA technology to deliver an INS with navigation grade performance. Psionic is funded to develop a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) which reduces size, mass, power and cost.  This PIC is a commercialization gamechanger and enables high volume manufacturing at reduced costs. This SBIR proposal focuses on transitioning SurePath terrain to SurePath aerial maritime navigation. Water demonstrates unique reflectivity properties which require research and SurePath modifications.  For example, maritime SurePath navigation is a statistical challenge which requires research to collect data, analyze the sampling rates, determine the number of sensors, location of the sensors, etc.  This Phase I SBIR provides the funding and tasking to establish the criteria and constraints for SurePath aerial maritime navigation.