Charlotte Bailey joined AIN’s editorial team in 2025 as a news reporter covering multiple topics including business aviation, new technology and the defense sector. She is also a frequent presenter in AIN’s video news reports. 
UK-based Charlotte has a strong interest in vintage military jets and in 2023 published a book about the de Havilland Vampire, as well as serving as a consultant on the topic for TV and movie projects. She is keen to expand her flying experience and enjoys hands-on assignments worldwide. In 2024, Charlotte was honored as Best New Journalist in the Aerospace Media Awards. Early in her career, Charlotte was involved in manufacturing customized hot air balloons.

News Reporter 

Charlotte Bailey

Honeywell Aerospace has launched its Kestrel compact navigation solution, which it says is designed to help uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operate reliably in contested environments where GPS signals may be degraded, jammed, or spoofed. Announcing Kestrel on June 17, the company said it is&nbsp;around 40% smaller than comparable navigation systems, “while still delivering an up to 80% improvement in navigation accuracy for uncrewed platforms.”
Kestrel combines Honeywell's&nbsp;HG3900 MEMS inertial measurement unit with an M-code receiver and a multi-GNSS receiver, and it could be used for other defense and commercial aircraft. The company said it&nbsp;has been designed to meet the specific needs of Group 2 and 3 collaborative combat aircraft and loitering munitions platforms.&nbsp;It is also suitable for crewed aircraft where weight, size, power, and costs are important considerations.
According to Honeywell, the improved navigational accuracy supported by Kestrel could reduce drone operating costs by as much as 50%. The U.S.-based group said the technology will&nbsp;help operators “efficiently scale deployment across high-volume drone operations” and be available in configurations “that support international and non-ITAR deployments.” 
“Kestrel reflects the evolving needs of today’s uncrewed operations, where operators are looking for resilient navigation technology that is smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager of navigation and sensors at Honeywell Aerospace. The system, he added,&nbsp;will help (UAS) operators “maintain mission objectives in environments where legacy GPS systems are lagging behind.”

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Honeywell Aerospace Launches Kestrel Drone Navigation Solution

Compact, cost-effective system applicable to smaller UAS platforms 

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Honeywell Launches Kestrel Drone Navigation Solution

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