Northrop Grumman has delivered the first production unit of its modernized airborne navigation system, designed to maintain positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data in environments where GPS signals may be disrupted or degraded.
The system, known as the Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System – Modernization (EGI-M), combines satellite-based navigation with inertial sensors to provide continuous location data even when external signals are unreliable.
This type of architecture is intended for use in contested environments, where electronic warfare measures such as GPS jamming or spoofing are increasingly common.
Ryan Arrington, VP of navigation and cockpit systems at Northrop Grumman, stated that the company “has a strong legacy of delivering reliable and innovative navigation solutions to the US military and our allies.”
“Our latest modernized PNT system, EGI-M, enhances operational effectiveness and is built with the flexibility to defeat today’s threats and adapt to future mission demands.”
EGI-M Configuration
According to the company, the updated configuration introduces additional safeguards to verify the integrity of navigation data.
This includes a “blended navigation” approach, which cross-checks GPS inputs with other onboard sources to reduce the risk of corrupted or manipulated signals.
The system is built with a modular software structure, allowing operators to integrate third-party applications and additional sensors without requiring direct involvement from the manufacturer.
This design is intended to support future upgrades and enable compatibility with alternative satellite constellations or navigation sources beyond standard GPS.
Towards Full-Scale Manufacturing
The delivery of the first production unit marks the program’s transition toward full-rate manufacturing, following qualification testing to verify compliance with military performance standards.
This milestone follows earlier development steps.
In 2023, Northrop Grumman reported successful trials of the system, confirming its ability to operate despite the presence of jamming.
The program had previously cleared a critical design review in 2020, supported by testing focused on its resistance to signal disruption.
