Two innovative hypersonic test flights recently incorporated a Northrop Grumman technology intended to provide navigation and maneuvering capabilities for high-speed systems in the absence of GPS.

Defense News learned from the company that its inertial measurement unit (IMU) was integrated into Stratolaunch’s Talon-A glide vehicle for its initial two hypersonic flights, which took place in December and March.

This marks the first instance in the industry where IMU technology has been successfully tested on a hypersonic aircraft, capable of traveling and maneuvering at speeds exceeding Mach 5, according to Jonathan Green, Northrop’s Chief Technology Officer for Emerging Capabilities Development.

“The technology met all our objectives, and its survival throughout this inaugural flight test signals extremely positive progress in the development of this technology,” he mentioned in an interview.

This week, the Pentagon announced the Talon-A tests, highlighting them as the first successful missions of a reusable hypersonic vehicle since the termination of the X-15 program in 1968. In recent times, the U.S. has ramped up its investments in high-speed weaponry and aircraft, with Stratolaunch’s testbed playing a crucial role in accelerating testing for essential components and subsystems to support extensive hypersonic development projects.

Designed by Northrop, the Advanced Hypersonic Technology IMU enables navigation for high-speed systems without reliance on GPS, which can be compromised by adverse weather, challenging terrain, or hostile electronic interference and deception.

Equipped with sophisticated sensors that detect the platform’s movements through its environment, the IMU computes the system’s traversed path and the necessary trajectory to maintain its course. Josei Chang, Senior Director of Advanced Technologies at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, reported that the system operated as anticipated during flight tests, accurately determining the vehicle’s course.

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Although Northrop has previously developed IMUs for spacecraft, this particular model is a compact, more robust version, redesigned to fit air vehicles and engineered to endure the extreme conditions of Mach 5 flight.

“At Northrop Grumman, we have adapted our space-based inertial navigation technology for air vehicles, enhancing our existing technology portfolio,” Green explained.

These hypersonic flights serve as significant benchmarks for the system, which is still in its R&D phase. An abstract for an upcoming navigation conference indicates that Northrop is working on IMU technology in collaboration with the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Systems Center, although the company has not confirmed any formal partnerships or contracts.

Northrop anticipates conducting a test of the IMU aboard a sounding rocket within this quarter and plans another test later this year at Holloman Air Force Base in Utah, focusing on the system’s performance under high gravitational forces.

Additionally, the company is keeping a close watch on Talon-A’s testing schedule, though Green did not confirm if the IMU would be featured in Stratolaunch’s upcoming flight expected this spring or summer.

“Our partnership with Stratolaunch in deploying and testing the system was absolutely essential,” he stated. “It underscores the importance of having the capability and resources to conduct these tests.”