---
title: "Navigation without GPS: How Ukrainian Scientists are Creating a 'Magnetic Compass' for Drones"
description: "Ukrainian scientists have developed a navigation technology for drones without GPS, using the unique characteristics of the Earth's magnetic field. This will allow unmanned aircraft to operate effectively in conditions where satellite signals are jammed by electronic warfare systems. 🇺🇦🛰️🧲"
date: 2026-06-07T05:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/navigation-without-gps-how-ukrainian-scientists-are-creating-a-magnetic-compass-for-drones
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Navigation without GPS: How Ukrainian Scientists are Creating a 'Magnetic Compass' for Drones

![Ukrainian soldier launches a drone without GPS, showcasing new magnetic navigation technology](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/07/navigatsiya-bez-gps-kak-ukrainskie-uchenyie-sozdayut-magnitnyiy-kompas-dlya-dronov/navigatsiya-bez-gps-kak-ukrainskie-uchenyie-sozdayut-magnitnyiy-kompas-dlya-dronov-1.webp)

In the conditions of modern warfare, where control over the airwaves is becoming no less important than control over territory, drones face a serious problem: jamming of GPS signals. Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems effectively disable standard navigation systems, turning drones into 'blind' aircraft. However, Ukrainian scientists have found a way to bypass this barrier by developing a technology that allows orientation on the ground without using satellites.

### Magnetic Field as a Coordinate System

The key to solving the problem was a unique feature of nature: the Earth's magnetic field. Mykhailo Orlyuk, Head of the Geomagnetism Department at the S.I. Subbotin Institute of Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, explained the essence of the development in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. It turns out that the parameters of the magnetic field — its declination and inclination — are unique for each specific point on the planet's surface.

"The Earth's magnetic field is unique for each point, which allows it to be used as a coordinate system," the scientist emphasized. This means that a drone can determine its location simply by 'reading' the magnetic signature of the terrain, rather than relying on external satellite signals.

### How the New Technology Works

The principle of operation of the new navigation system is largely similar to existing methods of visual orientation. If in optical systems a drone photographs the terrain and compares the images with reference maps, then in magnetic navigation, a similar algorithm is used, but with different data.

To implement this technology, the aircraft must be equipped with highly sensitive magnetometers. These devices measure magnetic field parameters in real-time and compare the obtained data with pre-created digital maps of Ukraine's geomagnetic field. The coincidence of data allows the system to calculate the drone's coordinates with high accuracy.

### Technical Challenges and Prospects

Despite the promise of the idea, the path to practical implementation of the technology is not simple. Mykhailo Orlyuk noted that the main difficulty lies in filtering interference. The aircraft itself, engines, and electronics create their own magnetic fields, which can distort measurements.

"Specific technical solutions are needed to filter out these interferences and obtain a clean signal from the Earth's magnetic field," the expert explained. Creating such a system is a complex scientific and technical task, however, work in this direction is already underway in full swing.

It is important to note that the basis for this development has already been created: Ukrainian scientists previously compiled a digital map of the geomagnetic field over the territory of the country for the first time. This map opens up broad horizons not only for the defense sector but also for geology (search for minerals) and demining. In the future, such maps could become the foundation for next-generation navigation systems capable of operating even under conditions of total electronic warfare suppression.