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Israeli drone passes test in GPS-denied environments, speeding up drone-based delivery goals

The test demonstrates how threats against drones can be prevented in the future

James Spiro 13:2510.02.21

The first test of a drone in a GPS-denied environment was successfully conducted in Yeruham, an Israeli special drone test zone that provided safe solutions for the navigation of flight ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS). The test belonged to NAAMA, the Israeli drone delivery pilot program run by Israel's Ministry of Transport (MoT), Ayalon Highways, the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), and the Israel Innovation Authority (IAI).

While the increase in data and GPS signal is increasing around the world, it is imperative that drones operate flawlessly once in transit. By proving to be successful and stable in GPS-denied environments, it means that the drones’ vision-based navigation technologies can help operators battle against the increasing threat of GPS signal disruption, including those caused by hacking, satellite malfunction, or solar flares.

A drone during the test in Yeruham. Photo: Dror Ben David, Matrix

The tests demonstrated how the drones navigate directly to their destinations without the need for any satellite infrastructure. Most importantly, their lack of connection blocks them from enemies seeking to disrupt military missions and injure humans, cars, or other vehicles. Following the news that Pizza Hut Israel hopes to deliver their orders via drone in the summer, dinners will also remain safe.