Northrop Grumman 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 fibre-optic, gyro-compass LCR-100 Attitude 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 gyro-compass brings efficiencies, savings and safety to Embraer's KC-390 military transport aircraft," said Eckehardt Keip, managing director for Northrop Grumman LITEF.

"This system will meet the exacting standards Embraer sets for its new aircraft."

The LCR-100 is a high-performing 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.

Northrop Grumman LITEF is a leading 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 fibre-optic gyro systems serving in aircraft worldwide.

The KC-390 is a Brazilian air force project that is anticipated to set new standards in the medium-lift military transport market for performance, cargo capacity, flexibility and life cycle costs. In addition to troop and cargo transportation, the aircraft will be capable of in-flight refueling, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.