Northrop Grumman to replace U.S. Navy's inertial navigation systems

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to replace the inertial navigation system used on most of the Navy's combat and support ships.

The contract is valued at $19.8 million with a total potential value of $47.8 million over five years if all options are exercised. The inertial navigation system, also known as INS-R, supports the new Navy Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing architecture currently in development by the Navy. The new system will increase navigation accuracy.

"The INS-R will be the foundation of the assured position, navigation and timing suite for virtually all Navy ships," Northrop Grumman maritime systems business unit vice president Todd Leavitt said. "Our inertial navigation system will provide very accurate position and attitude information for the Navy's combat and support ships to help them accomplish their demanding missions."

Work on the contract, including fiber optic gyro sensor development, will be performed at several Northrop Grumman facilities. Integration into the inertial measuring unit and incorporation of the navigation algorithms will take place at the company's facility in Charlottesville, Va.