The company will develop the final configuration for a stand-alone micro-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Gyro (micro-NMRG) for DARPA's Micro-Technology for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (Micro-PNT) program.

Northrop Grumman began the first phase of this effort in October 2005 and was awarded the latest development contract based on past performance, including the successful completion of design, fabrication, and testing of the device, which has met or exceeded the performance goals of each phase.

Northrop Grumman's micro-NMRG technology uses the spins of atomic nuclei to detect the rotation of the gyro and will provide comparable performance to a navigation grade fiber-optic gyro in a small size, low power package.

The technology could be used in any application requiring small size and low power precision navigation, including personal and unmanned vehicle navigation in GPS-denied or GPS-challenged locations.

"A miniature gyro that provides precision navigation is an important development for protecting our warfighters by ensuring that they have the accurate positioning information they need at all times, even if GPS is unavailable," said Charles Volk, vice president and chief technology officer of Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division.

"This phase of the program will allow us to demonstrate that this new micro gyro technology can provide navigation grade performance in a small package and move it one step closer to the field."

Northrop Grumman offers its customers more than 50 years of navigation experience and produces navigation products utilizing a range of technologies including fiber-optic gyro-based systems, Northrop Grumman's exclusive hemispherical resonator gyro, unique ZLG gyros, spinning mass gyros, ring laser gyros, and micro-electro-mechanical-system gyros.

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