E60 – GPS-Free Navigation

How do systems operate when GPS disappears? Mike sits down with Kara Kramer, 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. 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. This isn’t just about navigation—coordinate generation and targeting elements are equally important. Topics include: • Vision-based navigation • 3D geospatial intelligence • Targeting without GPS BONUS: Kara also shares her professional journey and how she got into the defense industry! 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. TOGETHER WITH VANTOR. SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE to get more intel on defense tech, news, and happenings. Links • Sign up for the newsletter⁠! • Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠! • Vantor home page • Vantor Raptor product page • Raptor inquiries • Vantor on LinkedIn • Kara Kramer on LinkedIn ---- Follow us on... • LinkedIn • Instagram⁠ • ⁠X⁠ • ⁠Facebook⁠ • ⁠Website⁠ ---- 00:00 00:01:11 intro 00:01:54 Vantor history 00:03:26 Raptor origins 00:03:59 Vantor backstory 00:05:39 The SpaceX of VBN 00:06:32 Raptor VBN 00:10:11 issues with GPS 00:12:44 pre-GPS terrain nav 00:13:46 the Hub 00:15:20 no hardware? 00:17:57 how it all works 00:20:47 geo-registered coordinates 00:26:27 Kara's journey in defense 00:28:24 Vantor in Drone Dominance 00:35:19 Vantor partnerships 00:39:02 contrarian takes 00:40:37 fast cheap good triangle 00:42:01 final thoughts #defensetech #dronetechnology #autonomy #gps #jamming #electronicwarfare #uas #drones #militarytechnology #geospatial #navigation #navigation #pnt #isr #aerospace #defenseinnovation #nationalsecurity #intelligence #intel #military