PINE BROOK, NEW JERSEY – May 30, 2024 – In a groundbreaking series of demonstrations conducted May 27-30, 2024, the Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS (R-EGI) architecture proved its potential to redefine navigation solutions for resiliency in the modern era. “R-EGI is designed to excel in the most challenging environments,” said Capt Ben Mutz, AFLCMC/WNX R-EGI Program Manager. “It integrates cutting-edge complementary positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies with legacy GPS and inertial navigation systems (INS), promising unmatched accuracy and reliability under any operational condition.”
The Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS (R-EGI) architecture has achieved another major milestone with its successful flight testing on a military C-12J test aircraft. This breakthrough in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technology promises to redefine precision and reliability in complex navigation environments.
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The journey of R-EGI commenced on May 27 with an extensive ground demonstration, where the system was rigorously exercised during a Kearfott van trip from Pine Brook, NJ to Stafford, VA.
On May 28, R-EGI completed its inaugural flight aboard a BE-55 aircraft located at Stafford Regional Airport, demonstrating positioning and orientation throughout the flight. Over the following days, from May 29-30, R-EGI underwent additional test flights, each contributing valuable data to further validate the architecture’s functionality. These flights underscored R-EGI’s status as a cutting-edge navigation technology poised to set new standards in the industry.
Kearfott Corporation led these collaborative demonstrations, bringing together expertise and resources from Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S), General Dynamics Mission Systems, and Collins Aerospace. “These initial ground and flight tests provided crucial insights into R-EGI’s functional performance across diverse terrains and environmental variables, setting the stage for subsequent USAF field and airborne trials,” said Kearfott president, John Stanfill.
The next pivotal phase for R-EGI is slated for August 2024, featuring demonstrations aboard the 586th Test Squadron’s C-12 aircraft at Holloman AFB, NM which aim to further validate the R-EGI architecture and verify its functional performance in new operational scenarios. According to Dennis Miller, IS4S R-EGI demo director, “excitement is palpable as R-EGI continues to push boundaries and establish itself as a benchmark in navigation technology.”
R-EGI represents not just a technological leap forward, but a paradigm shift in navigation capabilities. “Looking ahead, the successful series of inaugural flights mark a significant stride towards a future where navigation is synonymous with reliability and resilience in every journey,” added Dr. Mikel Miller, IS4S R-EGI program director. “As the Department of Defense continues to innovate and expand the horizons of navigation possibilities, R-EGI stands at the forefront where resilience meets reliability, and the future of navigation begins.”
As proven by these successful demonstrations, R-EGI provides a robust solution for navigating challenging environments where traditional GPS systems may falter. The integration of complementary PNT, GPS, and INS technologies in an open, agile, and digital government-owned environment is setting a new standard for developing and integrating reliability, robustness, and resiliency in navigation systems.
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About IS4S
Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. (IS4S) is a small business that provides a wide range of engineering and management solutions to government, military, and commercial customers. Founded in 2008, IS4S is a trusted System Design Agent specializing in open systems architectures, software development, systems engineering and integration, computational physics, additive manufacturing, and production. IS4S is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama with office locations in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama; Orlando, Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Atlanta and Warner Robins, Georgia; Dayton, Ohio; Slidell, Louisiana; Aberdeen, Maryland; and Washington DC.
About Kearfott Corporation
Kearfott Corporation is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of guidance, navigation, and motion-control components and systems for military and commercial markets. Kearfott is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of America, a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of avionics equipment and systems for the military and commercial aerospace industry. For more information on Kearfott’s innovative solutions and proven technologies visit www.kearfott.com.