Northrop Grumman Advanced Hypersonic Technology Inertial Measurement Unit Soars Past Expectations in Rocket Test

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Sept. 23, 2025 - Northrop Grumman's (NYSE: NOC) Advanced Hypersonic Technology (AHT) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) has successfully completed its third groundbreaking test, this time on a sounding rocket, surpassing g-force tolerance, altitude and velocity expectations.

The rocket test proved:

• Northrop Grumman's navigation technology can perform its mission at hypersonic speeds in GPS-denied environments. This paves the way for precision weapon targeting without GPS.
• The IMU's ruggedization and survivability exceeded performance expectations in the demanding environments of hypersonic and space flight, maintaining full functionality and collecting critical inertial data.
• The unit successfully proved the technology's reusability by completing three tests within a six-month period, including two prior tests on a reusable hypersonic vehicle

Experience:

Sam Dimashkie, director of future navigation technology, Northrop Grumman's Research and Development organization: "Testing the Northrop Grumman AHT IMU in real-world conditions at unprecedented speeds, proves we've developed a navigation system that makes platforms incredibly agile and nearly impossible to defend against. Our technology is a major leap forward in strategic capabilities, outshining anything currently available to U.S. forces."

Northrop Grumman's AHT IMU allows warfighters to precisely put defensive weapons on target in GPS-denied environments- a generational capability breakthrough. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Details on Program:

The AHT IMU, utilizing a resonating gyroscope, enables warfighters to precisely put defensive weapons on target with speed and accuracy without relying on potentially compromised GPS. Built on Northrop Grumman's experience in navigation solutions, it offers industry-leading, precise motion-sensing capabilities.

With a legacy of engineering robust positioning, navigation and timing solutions, Northrop Grumman guides warfighters and defense vehicles through the toughest environments.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers' toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.