Each probe can pick up GPS signals and signals from eLoran, an enhanced version of Loran, the ground-based terrestrial radio-navigation system first used by the American and British navies during the second world war.
This digital elevation model (DEM) will be put to myriad uses - everything from improving the safety of aircraft navigation to understanding better which areas of ground are most at risk during a flood.
Honeywell executives, who haven't previously discussed the project publicly, say the system uses onboard computers and navigation devices to automatically control aircraft movements on the ground.