Commercial drones are already in use across the UK and operations are expected to scale significantly. At the same time, passenger electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are on the horizon, moving towards commercial service this decade. This shift raises a critical question: will today’s positioning, navigation and timing systems be good enough for tomorrow’s aviation ecosystem?

Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the UK Department for Transport, has explored whether positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) could constrain the growth of these new elements of the aviation sector in the UK, and what should happen now to stay ahead of that risk.

Drawing on desk research, stakeholder engagement and ecosystem survey findings, the report highlights a clear challenge: many drone operations today still rely heavily on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, despite known vulnerabilities such as interference, and limitations in complex operating environments. With drone activity expected to scale before passenger eVTOL services enter operation, there is a limited window to build understanding, shape requirements and support more resilient approaches before these issues become a barrier to market growth.

Rather than pointing to a single solution, the research shows that different use cases will need different PNT approaches. A one-size-fits-all model is unlikely to work across medical deliveries, infrastructure inspection, logistics, surveillance or future passenger services. Instead, the report sets out the need to prioritise use cases, define requirements clearly, and strengthen collaboration between aviation, PNT and policy stakeholders.

Relevant to policy-makers, regulators, industry and investors, this research provides the evidence base needed to identify priorities, inform decisions and shape the UK’s next steps.

Positioning Navigation and Timing

File type: pdf

File size: 18.89Mb

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