CMC Electronics and ÉTS Launch Major Research Chair in Resilient GNSS Navigation
MONTREAL, Oct. 1, 2025 /CNW/ - With Government of Quebec CRIAQ support, a five-year research and development program has been launched to enhance aviation GNSS Navigation Security, Integrity, and Spoofing Resilience.
CMC Electronics is pleased to partner with École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) to create the CMC Electronics Industrial Research Chair in Resilient GNSS Navigation. The five-year chair, valued at over $6 million, unites CMC's world-leading avionics expertise, led by Dr. John Studenny, internationally recognized GNSS navigation expert and standards contributor, with ÉTS's renowned LASSENA laboratory under Professor René Jr. Landry, a renowned expert in aerospace navigation and cybersecurity.
The Chair will tackle critical threats to aviation GNSS navigation, including jamming and spoofing. Spoofing is notoriously insidious as it can intentionally mislead aircraft navigation systems, compromise flight safety, and disrupt national infrastructure under the guise of normality. CMC and ETS will develop spoofing-resilient GNSS receivers capable of real-time detection, mitigation, and total recovery from spoofing attacks, setting a benchmark in aviation safety and integrity.
Research Focus Areas
The Chair's work spans several integrated areas that target key GNSS security challenges:
- Integration of Spoofing Detection Algorithms
- Spoofing resilience grading and stress testing frameworks
- Recovery mechanisms and certification benchmarking
- Advanced integrity algorithms (ARAIM)
- Sensor fusion and authentication technologies for spoofing mitigation
- End-to-end Spoofing-Resilient GNSS Prototype
- Next-generation inertial sensors with built-in integrity
Together, these areas aim to produce operational, spoofing-resilient GNSS systems suitable for aviation environments.
Broader Impact and Strategic Alignment
The Chair will train over 65 highly qualified personnel (HQPs) and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in engineering. It supports initiatives to increase women's representation and aligns with ÉTS's strategic research fields in Aerospace, Cybersecurity, Sensors, and Intelligent Autonomous Systems.
CMC Electronics is co-leading the research program and industrial deployment, ensuring that the outcomes are fast-tracked toward secure, export-ready GNSS solutions. Safran Trusted 4D contributes specialized expertise, and Jaunt Air Mobility provides operational insights for flight testing and system integration.
"This initiative doesn't just patch vulnerabilities, it reinvents how satellite navigation systems are secured," says Professor Landry.
"Our objective is the development of a certified, spoofing-resilient GNSS receiver that can serve as a benchmark for safety and integrity," adds Dr. Studenny. "With this Chair, we can fast-track the development of secure GNSS solutions that meet rising global demand," he concludes.
About ÉTS
École de technologie supérieure is one of ten constituents of the Université du Québec network. It trains engineers and researchers who are recognized for their practical and innovative approach, the development of new technologies and their skill at transferring their knowledge to companies. Almost one-quarter of all engineers in Québec graduated from ÉTS, which boasts 11,000 students, including 2,650 at the graduate and post-graduate level. ÉTS specializes in applied training and research in engineering, and maintains a unique partnership with the business sector and with industry. For more information, please visit etsmtl.ca.
About CMC Electronics
CMC Electronics (cmcelectronics.ca) has achieved an international reputation for innovation and excellence in the design and manufacture of advanced avionics, display solutions and high-performance optoelectronics for military and commercial aviation markets. Supported by an engineering team, the company offers fully integrated civil and defense capabilities with comprehensive certification support. Based in Montreal, Canada, the company also has facilities in the United States serving its global customer base.
SOURCE CMC Electronics