As air mobility operations evolve, two key challenges are shaping the future of aviation: resilient navigation in GPS-denied environments and reducing crew workload for enhanced operational capability. Traditional GPS-reliant navigation faces increasing threats from jamming, spoofing, and natural disruptions, while pilots are tasked with executing complex missions under high cognitive load. To address these challenges, aviation leaders are turning to innovative technologies that provide both assured navigation and intelligent automation, ensuring mission success even in the most demanding environments.
Two solutions—AQNav, an advanced Magnetic Navigation (MagNav) system from SandboxAQ, and Merlin Pilot, a certifiable autonomy system for legacy and next-generation aircraft from Merlin Labs—offer distinct, best-in-class capabilities that empower operators to overcome these challenges. Independently, each technology enhances operational effectiveness: AQNav provides resilient navigation that does not rely on satellites, while Merlin Pilot automates key flight functions to support pilots in high-workload environments while enabling both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. However, when deployed together, these solutions complement each other in a way that unlocks additional value—providing aircrew and platforms with both assured positioning and intelligent workload management to increase mission effectiveness, safety, and efficiency.
AQNav and Merlin Pilot each bring unique strengths to air mobility, and when used together, they can offer a powerful combination that supports mission success in challenging environments. As the industry continues to evolve, collaborations between innovators like SandboxAQ and Merlin Labs highlight the broader shift toward solutions that enhance both autonomy and assured navigation, helping operators stay ahead of emerging challenges while maximizing operational effectiveness.
Air mobility platforms often operate in contested and degraded GPS environments due to intentional interference, natural disruptions, or operational constraints. In these situations, pilots must rely on alternative navigation solutions to maintain mission effectiveness.
AQNav offers a resilient solution by using Earth’s magnetic anomalies for precise navigation. This technology provides a resilient alternative that enhances situational awareness and ensures accurate positioning without reliance on satellite signals. As threats to GPS increase, APNT (Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions like AQNav become essential for ensuring operational continuity in complex environments.
Modern air mobility operations are increasingly looking toward autonomous capabilities to enhance efficiency, reduce pilot workload, and integrate uncrewed systems for high-risk and high-temp operations. As the demand for optimized crew operations grows, autonomous systems play a critical role in supporting pilots in high-stress environments.
The Merlin Pilot provides a certified autonomy baseline for all platforms, enabling reduced crew operations on large aircraft and fully uncrewed management of emerging mobility platforms. Merlin Pilot provides autonomous flight assistance, handling critical flight operations and reduces pilot burden. By automating routine and complex tasks, this technology allows human pilots to focus on mission execution, particularly in scenarios where cognitive load is high, such as GPS-denied environments. As the aviation industry moves toward reduced-crew and autonomous operations, the Merlin Pilot enables a more scalable and efficient approach to air mobility.
While these technologies deliver significant advantages in defense operations, their potential reaches far beyond military aviation. As the aviation industry grapples with pilot shortages and a growing need for automation, both resilient navigation and autonomous flight systems are becoming essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and continuity in commercial air transport.
Resilient navigation solutions like AQNav provide critical redundancy for civilian aircraft, enabling precise positioning even in GPS-degraded environments, while autonomous systems like Merlin Pilot enhance operational efficiency by reducing pilot workload and optimizing flight management. Independently, each technology addresses key challenges in modern aviation; together, they represent a forward-looking approach to air mobility—one that strengthens resilience, enhances safety, and supports the transition toward a more automated, adaptive future across both military and commercial sectors.
As the aviation landscape continues to evolve, the need for GPS-independent navigation and assured autonomy solutions will shape the next generation of air mobility operations. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like AQNav and Merlin Pilot, the industry can address some of its most pressing challenges, improving mission readiness and operational efficiency.
The collaboration between SandboxAQ and Merlin Labs is a testament to SandboxAQ’s commitment to working with industry leaders to deliver best-in-class solutions for its customers. By continuously partnering with innovators in navigation, autonomy, and aviation technology, SandboxAQ ensures that its solutions remain at the forefront of operational resilience and efficiency.
To stay informed on the latest developments in resilient navigation and autonomous flight systems, visit SandboxAQ.com and MerlinLabs.com.
