Embraer chooses Northrop Grumman to supply the KC-390 transport aircraft navigation system

BERLIN, Germany, 12 Sept. 2012. Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC), a global security company, has been awarded a contract to supply the hybrid global positioning system (GPS) and inertial reference system for the Embraer Defense and Security KC-390 medium-lift military transport aircraft.

Under the contract, the company's German navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF, will provide the fiber-optic, gyro-compass LCR-100 altitude and heading reference system. The system will be used on Embraer's new fly-by-wire KC-390 aircraft, which is anticipated to have the first flight in 2014.

The LCR-100 is an inertial reference system that provides navigation information regarding the aircraft's position, heading and attitude. The gyro-compass feature eliminates the need for a magnetic sensing unit. Additionally, the system offers extended coasting performance that allows the aircraft to maintain accuracy and continue to provide navigation information in the event of GPS signal loss.

The LCR-100 received flight certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in 2008.

Northrop Grumman LITEF is a supplier of inertial sensors, inertial reference, and inertial navigation systems and computers with products deployed in more than 30 countries in aircraft, marine vessels and ground mobile applications. The company has more than 15,000 fiber-optic gyro systems that are used in aircraft worldwide.

The KC-390 is a Brazilian air force medium-lift military transport project. In addition to troop and cargo transportation, the aircraft will be capable of in-flight refueling, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.