Northrop Grumman recently said it had successfully tested a jam-proof navigation system to replace standard navigation equipment on military aircraft. The modernized Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS), otherwise known as EGI-M, was installed on the Cessna Citation and launched last May.
The heart of the EGI-M system is a GPS receiver that is M-Code capable and can quickly transmit position, navigation and time information in environments where GPS access is difficult or GPS jamming is difficult.
Of note, M-code is an anti-jamming GPS signal that can be focused precisely on a target area from GPS Block III satellites using high gain directional antennas, making it less susceptible to jamming. The M-code signal is also encrypted to reduce the possibility of GPS spoofing.
This new system is designed to replace the existing GPS system. The first types of aircraft to receive the EGI-M will be the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS aircraft. Ultimately, however, all fixed-wing and rotary (helicopter) platforms will get an upgrade with the adoption of the EGI-M.
“The EGI-M capability we have developed enables our soldiers to navigate accurately and precisely through hostile and contested environments,” said Northrop Grumman, quoted from avweb.com (5/7/2023).
EGI-M stands for Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System – Modernized. EGI-M is an integrated navigation system that combines information from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial navigation system (INS) to provide accurate position, speed and orientation for aircraft or vehicles.
EGI-M is an expansion of the earlier EGI navigation system, with refinements and improvements in terms of performance and capabilities. The system uses GPS signals to obtain accurate position and time information, and also utilizes sensitive inertial sensors to track movement and orientation changes.
By combining data from GPS and INS, the EGI-M can provide highly accurate and reliable navigational information, even in difficult environmental conditions such as in bad weather or in areas with limited GPS signal clipping. This helps the aircraft or vehicle to maintain accurate mapping and can rely on reliable navigation.
EGI-M is used in a variety of applications, including in military aircraft, helicopters and other military vehicles. In a military context, the EGI-M helps improve navigation and targeting capabilities, and can be used in air, ground and sea operations.
The LN-351 EGI-M program was started by Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force to modernize the current LN-251 EGI and prepare for future operational scenarios, where GPS contested environments and GPS denial are among the most common threats.