Northrop Tests GPS-Free Tech for Hypersonic Manoeuvring
Two recent, groundbreaking hypersonic test flights demonstrate Northrop Grumman’s technology that enables high-speed systems to navigate and manoeuvre without GPS. This week, the company told Defence News Today that its inertial measurement unit (IMU) was used on the Talon-A glide vehicle of Stratolaunch’s initial two hypersonic flights in December and March.
The company demonstrated IMU technology in use on a hypersonic aircraft flying and manoeuvring at Mach 5 or higher – an industry first, said Jonathan Green, Northrop’s Chief Technology Officer for Emerging Capabilities Development. “It met all our goals, and it survived the first flight test, which is a very positive step forward in maturing this technology,” he said in an interview.
Talon-A tests
This week, the Pentagon announced the Talon-A tests, the first successful flight of a reusable hypersonic vehicle since the X-15 program ended in 1968. The U.S. has increased its investments in high-speed weaponry and aircraft in recent times, and Stratolaunch’s testbed underscores the mounting requirement for testing opportunities for the components and subsystems pivotal to large hypersonic development efforts. Northrop Grumman designed the IMU to deliver autonomous navigation for hypersonic systems without GPS.
This ability is crucial when severe weather, difficult terrain, or hostile jamming and spoofing degrade satellite signals. The IMU has sophisticated sensors to track its motion and compute the trajectory it needs to stay on course. The system performed well in flight tests, said Josei Chang, senior director at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. It calculated the vehicle route accurately without GPS. Northrop has made IMUs for spacecraft before, but this one is smaller and tougher for use on aircraft.
Northrop Grumman
It is designed to survive the intense heat and pressure of Mach 5 flight. “At Northrop Grumman, we adapted space navigation expertise to create advanced inertial navigation for high-speed aircraft,” Green explained. “We improved that capability and technology portfolio.” The system is currently in the research and development phase, and hypersonic flights are a major leap for it. Northrop is developing next-generation IMU technology for the Army’s missile system centre, but it will not discuss any partnerships or contracts.
They plan to fly the IMU on a sounding rocket this quarter to gather performance data. Another test could be performed later this year at Holloman Air Force Base in Utah under high-gravity conditions. Northrop is also monitoring the Talon-A test schedule to ensure it aligns with future tests. Green would not confirm, however, whether the IMU would be on board for Stratolaunch’s next test flight. “Stratolaunch was an enormous help in deploying and testing the system,” he said. “It demonstrates the importance of having the opportunity and resource to do these tests.”
References
- Northrop Tests Hypersonic Navigation Unit
https://tinyurl.com/northrop-hypersonic - Stratolaunch Talon-A Vehicle
https://tinyurl.com/stratolaunch-talon-a - Northrop Inertial Navigation Systems
https://tinyurl.com/northrop-navsys - DoD Hypersonic Weapons Program
https://tinyurl.com/dod-hypersonics - Army DEVCOM Missile Center
https://tinyurl.com/devcom-overview
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