Every commercial jet and business aircraft needs a precise navigation box that knows exactly where the plane is at all times — even without GPS. Right now, almost all of these boxes use old American laser-based tech that comes with heavy US export restrictions (called ITAR), meaning European aircraft makers need American permission to buy and install them. Civitanavi built a European alternative using fiber optic technology that's smaller, performs better, and doesn't need any US approval. Think of it like replacing an imported engine with a locally-made one that's actually faster and lighter.
Aircraft manufacturers and avionics integrators in Europe are locked into buying navigation systems from a single US supplier (Honeywell), with every purchase and export requiring US government approval under ITAR regulations. This creates supply chain risk, export restrictions, and competitive disadvantage for European aerospace companies trying to sell aircraft globally. There is no European-made, high-performance alternative at navigation grade — until now.
Civitanavi built the CFN-50GC, a navigation-grade Inertial Reference System based on fiber optic gyroscope technology, along with dedicated test equipment and both hardware and software components. The system is designed as a direct, ITAR-free replacement for Honeywell's LASEREF VI micro IRS used in business jets and single-aisle commercial aircraft.
If you are a business jet manufacturer dealing with ITAR compliance headaches and single-supplier dependence on Honeywell for navigation systems — this project developed a fiber optic gyroscope-based Inertial Reference System (CFN-50GC) that delivers top peak performance in a compact size, without any US export restrictions. Civitanavi already has partnerships with Piaggio Aerospace and Pilatus Aircraft.
If you are a commercial aircraft OEM or avionics supplier struggling with supply chain risks from ITAR-regulated American navigation equipment — this project created a European-made, certification-ready alternative to Honeywell's LASEREF VI micro IRS. The system targets single-aisle commercial airplanes and aims for TRL 9, meaning full flight certification readiness.
If you are a European defense or aerospace integrator facing export restrictions when selling platforms with US-origin navigation components — this project built a completely ITAR-free inertial navigation unit based on fiber optic gyroscope technology. This removes the US government approval bottleneck from your export process, opening markets that were previously blocked.
The project data does not include specific pricing for the CFN-50GC unit. However, the product targets the same market segment as Honeywell's LASEREF VI micro IRS, and the projected turnover of €19M after 5 years from product launch suggests competitive pricing aimed at capturing significant market share.
Civitanavi Systems is an established manufacturing SME, and the project specifically focused on accelerating market entry within 16 months. The hardware and software accomplishment deliverables, plus dedicated test equipment, indicate a production-oriented development path rather than a lab prototype.
Civitanavi Systems owns the core fiber optic gyroscope technology and developed the CFN-50GC as a proprietary product. Being ITAR-free means the technology can be exported without US government restrictions. Based on available project data, licensing terms would need to be discussed directly with Civitanavi.
The project targeted TRL 9, which means full operational certification. The project included specific hardware, software, and test equipment deliverables aligned with aviation certification requirements. Based on available project data, the system was designed to be certifiable for civil avionic applications.
The project planned a 16-month accelerated market entry timeline from project start. With the project completed in March 2018 and partnerships already established with Piaggio Aerospace and Pilatus Aircraft, the system should be at or near deployment readiness.
The CFN-50GC is designed as a direct replacement for existing RLG-based Inertial Reference Systems, which are standard avionic equipment. This means it fits into the same role in the avionics architecture, replacing units like Honeywell's LASEREF VI micro IRS.
This is a solo SME project — Civitanavi Systems SPA from Italy is the only partner, which is typical for SME Instrument Phase 2 funding. The company is a private, for-profit SME with 100% industry composition and zero academic partners. This signals a commercially-driven venture rather than a research exercise. The absence of university partners means all IP stays with the company, simplifying any licensing or partnership discussions. Civitanavi has already secured partnerships with two named aircraft manufacturers (Piaggio Aerospace and Pilatus Aircraft), demonstrating real market pull beyond the consortium itself.
Civitanavi Systems SPA (Italy) — contact via company website or through SciTransfer for a facilitated introduction
Want to explore ITAR-free navigation solutions for your aircraft platform? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the Civitanavi team and provide a detailed technology brief.
