Thomas Unise
ANELLO Photonics has introduced ANELLO Aerial INS, a compact high-performance inertial navigation system designed to provide reliable navigation for UAVs and autonomous VTOLs, especially in GPS-denied or contested environments.
Revolutionary SiPhOG Technology
At the core of the new system is ANELLO’s Silicon Photonic Optical Gyroscope (SiPhOG) technology, which delivers fiber-optic gyro performance in a size, weight, and power (SWaP)-friendly package. This technology represents a significant advancement over both consumer-grade MEMS gyros (which suffer from vibration sensitivity and electromagnetic interference) and bulkier industrial/defense-grade systems.
According to Dr. Mario Paniccia, ANELLO’s co-founder and CEO, the SiPhOG is “the world’s smallest optical gyro, with no moving parts and high-volume assembly,” capable of being fabricated on a 1-inch square chip produced in the U.S.
Key Features and Capabilities
- High-precision three-axis SiPhOG optical gyros with less than 0.5°/hr unaided heading drift
- Dual triple-frequency GNSS receivers with spoofing detection
- Advanced Sensor Fusion Engine for resilient holdover in GPS-denied conditions
- Integration with flight stacks including PX4 and ArduPilot
- Compact dimensions (11.1 x 8.6 x 4.8 cm) weighing just 0.4 kg
- Low power consumption under 6W
- IP68 rating: waterproof and resistant to corrosion
Applications and Availability
The ANELLO Aerial INS is designed for demanding aerial platforms including beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) uncrewed aerial systems, maritime/shipborne VTOL UAS, ISR/special-mission aircraft, and heavy-lift drones. The system maintains over 98% navigation accuracy without cameras or fiber-optic cables, even through high-dynamics and GNSS jamming, spoofing, or occlusion.
Dan Magy, CEO of Firestorm, which develops low-cost drones for combat and ISR applications, called the technology “a game changer for our warfighters” and “essential for future combat missions” where adversaries actively disrupt GPS.
The system is currently available for evaluation, with production shipments beginning in Q2 2026. Evaluation kits include the ANELLO Aerial INS, cabling, drivers for PX4/ArduPilot, and integration guides.
Future Development
ANELLO’s roadmap focuses on further miniaturization and integration of electronics and photonics to reduce weight and power requirements. The company’s ultimate vision is to “bring high-precision navigation to everything,” extending its lead in GPS-denied navigation across domains.
With more than 40 issued patents and 40 pending, ANELLO continues to advance its navigation portfolio, which has been validated through multiple U.S. Department of War operational test events.
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