Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) 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.