UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía Launches HES01 Heading Estimation System for Unmanned Aircraft
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, a maker of guidance, navigation and control solutions for unmanned vehicles, has released the HES01, a compact heading estimation device. It is designed for precise landings and for navigation where GNSS signals are unavailable.
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, a company that develops guidance, navigation and control solutions for unmanned vehicles, has announced the release of a new heading estimation system, the HES01. The device is intended for unmanned aircraft systems that need precise navigation in difficult conditions. The company describes it as small and easy to install.
The HES01 combines dual-frequency GNSS (satellite navigation) signals with RTK corrections, an internal magnetometer and a high-accuracy MEMS-based inertial measurement unit (IMU). Paired with the company's VECTOR autopilots (flight control computers) and the GHU-100 ground unit, it enables landings with sub-centimeter precision. It is also offered as a complement to the company's VNS01 visual navigation system for operations in hostile or contested environments, where GNSS signals cannot be relied on.
Key features
According to the manufacturer, the HES01 determines true heading with accuracy of up to 0.4 degrees in both static and dynamic conditions, with no alignment maneuver required. Heading is essential for GNSS-denied navigation, especially in applications such as effectors and loitering munitions operating in contested environments.
The system can also support autonomous recovery on moving decks. It tracks a landing point that moves with the mothership: RTK corrections provide centimeter-level relative positioning, while the internal IMU compensates for the motion of the ground control station. In maritime operations it also compensates for pitch, roll and vertical motion caused by swell.
The HES01 additionally validates magnetic heading data against GNSS-derived heading on a continuous basis, detecting inconsistencies before they affect the navigation solution. This gives the autopilot a reliable heading reference even in environments with electromagnetic interference.
Miguel Ángel de Frutos, Managing Director at UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, said the HES01 reflects the company's ongoing commitment to advancing UAV technology and delivering solutions for the most demanding operational requirements.
