Northrop Grumman recently flew its advanced airborne navigation solution for the first time.
The Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) Modernization, or EGI-M, is equipped with an M-Code capable receiver, which enables missions to be conducted in GPS contested and GPS denied environments, according to a news release. The receiver is a core component of Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M program, which is engineered to quickly transmit positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) information.
EGI-M was flown on a testbed aircraft in May, with data confirming the prototype EGI-M solution, the M-Code capable LN-351, performed at standards equal to its current fully integrated LN-251 INS/GPS system, featuring modern fiber optic gyro technology. The LN-251 is a non-dithered navigation system with an embedded 12/24 channel, All-In-View, Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM), P(Y) code or Standard Positioning Service (SPS) GPS, according to the Northrup Grumman website.
“This flight test is a major step forward in developing our next generation airborne navigation system,” said Ryan Arrington, the company’s vice president, navigation and cockpit systems, according to the release. “The EGI-M capability developed by Northrop Grumman enables our warfighters to navigate accurately and precisely through hostile and contested environments.”
The fully operational EGI-M system will feature a modular platform interface that’s designed to integrate with current platform navigation systems and will support advanced software and hardware technology upgrades.
Critical design review for EGI-M was completed in 2020. Launch platforms for Northrop Grumman’s EGI-M are the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the F-22 Raptor. Additional fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms across Department of Defense and allied forces have selected EGI-M as their future navigation solution to support mission-critical systems.
