Northrop Grumman nabs $13.4M contract to provide mini navigation system

Northrop Grumman has won a potentially $13.4 million contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop a miniaturized navigation grade inertial system.

This contract was awarded as part of DARPA’s Chip-Scale Combinatorial Atomic Navigator program, which aims to integrate micro-electro-mechanical systems and atomic inertial guidance technologies into a single measurement unit, which helps in situations where GPS is not an option, Northrop said in a release.

"This microsystem has the potential to significantly reduce the size, weight, power requirement and cost of precision navigation systems," said Charles Volk, vice president, Advanced Navigation Systems business unit, Northrop Grumman. "Additionally, the system will reduce dependence on GPS and other external signals, ensuring uncompromised navigation and guidance for warfighters."