Northrop Grumman Corporation’s milli-Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscope (mHRG)-based precision pointing concept has been selected by the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) for exploration under the Far Target Location Improvement Program Broad Agency Announcement.

Under this contract, Northrop Grumman will develop a lightweight, low-power precision pointing technology demonstrator providing improved target accuracy and performance over currently fielded Far Target Locators. Precision target location reduces collateral damage in the field by improving the accuracy of munitions delivery.

At the heart of the precision pointing concept is the mHRG, derived from the proven, highly reliable Hemispheric Resonator Gyroscope, which has operated over 13 million hours in space without any mission failures. The mHRG is a small, high performance, low-power sensor that will enable the precision pointing system to be 10 to 20 times more accurate than existing systems.

“The ability to generate highly accurate target coordinates provides warfighters not only with the improved tools they need but also helps to ensure the safety and protect the lives of both soldiers and civilians,” said Charles Volk, vice president and chief technology officer of Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division.

Northrop Grumman was awarded a research and development contract for preliminary design, analysis, and modeling of the mHRG and its system implementation. The second phase of the program will include the development, fabrication, test, and delivery of two technology demonstrator precision pointing units.