Michelle Toscan has been appointed to lead Advanced Navigation’s efforts in advancing Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions, a critical aspect of national security and commercial activity in the context of increasing GPS vulnerabilities. Her expertise will help expedite the delivery of GPS-independent navigation technologies across diverse environments, such as deep sea and outer space.
The urgency for resilient navigation systems has escalated in the Asia-Pacific region due to heightened GPS interference and supply chain vulnerabilities. The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull AC, Chairman of Advanced Navigation, emphasized this need for sovereign solutions capable of enduring extreme conditions, signaling the company’s commitment to addressing both national and commercial interests.
Toscan’s background uniquely positions her for this role. With nearly two decades of experience in supporting the Australian Federal Government and Defense in advanced technologies, her career has encompassed various significant roles. She served as the Director of Strategy and Commercial at Anduril Industries, managing growth across various domains; worked as an Account Executive at Google to introduce federal government solutions; and led sourcing at Leidos. This experience is augmented by her two-decade tenure as a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, providing her with a strong understanding of sovereignty in defense capabilities.
Toscan holds advanced qualifications, including a master’s degree in international law, reinforcing her knowledge in legal frameworks relevant to national security and defense.
Advanced Navigation’s Chief Revenue Officer, Christopher McNamara, praised Toscan’s dual understanding of defense and commercial landscapes, suggesting it will be instrumental in the company’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The necessity for robust PNT technologies is prevalent across sectors, such as defense, where various systems—including radar and autonomous platforms—require uncompromised navigation precision. The Australian government has established the Joint Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Directorate to enhance its military edge in this area.
In her new role, Toscan expressed her commitment to ensuring Australia’s pivotal role in safeguarding allied nations and highlighted Advanced Navigation’s innovative approach to delivering technology for complex systems.
Toscan will spearhead the company’s engagement in the Australian Defence Department’s Global Supply Chain Program (GSC), supporting industry allies and partners. Advanced Navigation is already a key supplier for significant defense projects, including providing strategic-grade inertial navigation systems for Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles.
The company emphasizes optimizing supply chain resilience through a vertically integrated manufacturing process, which allows for better control over quality and security. This agile framework enables Advanced Navigation to respond promptly to disruptions while fulfilling demands from both defense and commercial sectors.
Founded on a culture of research and innovation, Advanced Navigation aims to catalyze the autonomy revolution by delivering disruptive technological solutions that transform sensing systems for various markets.
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