Northrop to support GPS/INS work

The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to support its embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) Pre-Phase 1 modernisation efforts, the company announced on 6 January. 

The order, awarded by the Joint Service Systems Management Office, is valued at $4.8 million. 

The Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) programme supports the development of M-Code-capable GPS receivers that ensure the secure transmission of accurate military signals. The receivers will be mandatory after fiscal year 2017.

Northrop Grumman will evaluate new GPS receivers' modes of performance including Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module and M-Code; and assess the state of development of MGUE for upcoming applications. Additionally the company will perform trade studies and contribute to architecture development for next-generation GPS/inertial navigation systems.

According to the FAA’s NextGen air traffic control requirements an aircraft flying at higher altitudes must feature Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out by January 2020. The updated GPS/inertial navigation system will comply with this requirement. ADS-B Out transmits information regarding the aircraft's speed, altitude, and location to ground stations and the other equipped aircraft in the area. The system is anticipated to be offered for platform integration beginning in 2018.

Bob Mehltretter, vice president, navigation and positioning systems business unit, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, said: ‘We are honoured to help shape the next generation of navigation systems that will modernise the GPS infrastructure and keep our warfighters safer. We are committed to using our navigation systems expertise to develop a solution that offers dependable and accurate positioning, navigation and timing information.’