E60 – GPS-Free Navigation

<p>How do systems operate when GPS disappears?</p><p>Mike sits down with <strong>Kara Kramer</strong>, Vice President ofRaptor Sales at Vantor (formerly Maxar Intelligence), to discuss one of the most important challenges facing modern autonomous systems: operating when GPS is jammed, spoofed, or completely unavailable. </p><p><br /></p><p>We discuss vision-based navigation (VBN), 3D geospatialintelligence, and why resilient autonomy depends on more than just the drone itself. From electronic warfare to contested operations, this conversation examines how software and spatial intelligence are enabling unmanned operations, and Vantor’s unique approach.</p><p>This isn’t just about navigation—coordinate generation and targeting elements are equally important.</p><p>Topics include:</p><p>• Vision-based navigation</p><p>• 3D geospatial intelligence</p><p>• Targeting without GPS</p><p><br /></p><p>BONUS: Kara also shares her professional journey and how she got into the defense industry!</p><p><br /></p><p>Whether you're building autonomous systems, working indefense technology, or simply interested in where drone technology is headed, this episode provides an inside look at one of the fastest-moving areas in aerospace.</p><p>TOGETHER WITH VANTOR.</p><p><br /></p><p>SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE to get more intel on defense tech, news, and happenings.</p><p> </p><p>Links</p><p>• Sign up for the <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">newsletter⁠</a>!</p><p>• Support us on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/the_merge" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Patreon⁠</a>!</p><p>• Vantor <a href="https://vantor.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home page</a> </p><p>• Vantor Raptor <a href="https://vantor.com/product/mission-solutions/raptor/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">product page</a></p><p>• Raptor <a href="https://vantor.com/product/mission-solutions/raptor-form/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">inquiries</a></p><p>• Vantor on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vantortech/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>   </p><p>• Kara Kramer on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-kramer-5921275/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>   </p><p> </p><p>----</p><p>Follow us on...</p><p>• <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/themerge" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/merge_newsletter/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">• Instagram⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://x.com/MergeNewsletter" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠X⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themergenews" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Facebook⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Website⁠</a> </p><p>----</p><p>00:00</p><p>00:01:11 intro</p><p>00:01:54 Vantor history</p><p>00:03:26 Raptor origins</p><p>00:03:59 Vantor backstory</p><p>00:05:39 The SpaceX of VBN</p><p>00:06:32 Raptor VBN</p><p>00:10:11 issues with GPS</p><p>00:12:44 pre-GPS terrain nav</p><p>00:13:46 the Hub</p><p>00:15:20 no hardware?</p><p>00:17:57 how it all works</p><p>00:20:47 geo-registered coordinates</p><p>00:26:27 Kara's journey in defense</p><p>00:28:24 Vantor in Drone Dominance</p><p>00:35:19 Vantor partnerships</p><p>00:39:02 contrarian takes</p><p>00:40:37 fast cheap good triangle</p><p>00:42:01 final thoughts</p><p> </p><p>#defensetech #dronetechnology #autonomy #gps #jamming #electronicwarfare #uas #drones #militarytechnology #geospatial #navigation #navigation #pnt #isr #aerospace #defenseinnovation #nationalsecurity #intelligence #intel #military</p>