Northrop Grumman to produce navigation sensors for US Navy

The U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a production contract for the new AN/WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module (ISM). 

As explained, N/WSN-12 ISM is a next-generation sensor that significantly improves maritime navigation in Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments for surface ships and submarines.

“The new AN/WSN-12 Inertial Navigator System will deliver more precision and performance for the warfighter while occupying the same footprint as its predecessor,” said Todd Leavitt, vice president, naval and oceanic systems, Northrop Grumman.

The sensors is a component of f the U.S. Navy’s AN/WSN-12 Inertial Navigator System (INS), upgrading the Northrop Grumman built AN/WSN-7 INS.

The WSN-7 is on nearly every ship in the U.S. Navy and has been the program of for more than two decades. Surface ships and submarines rely heavily on the positioning data provided by GPS for navigation, for safety at sea and to fire weapons.

 The first ISM will be fielded later this year.