Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by Cessna Aircraft Company to be a provider of gyro-compassing, hybrid inertial navigation systems as core components of the avionics system for the 680 Citation Sovereign business jet aircraft.

Northrop Grumman LITEF is supplying the fiber-optic, gyro-compassing LCR-100 Attitude and Heading Reference System as a standard feature on select Cessna business aircraft. Additionally, Northrop Grumman will supply the new LCR-100N Hybrid Navigator on other select Citation aircraft for customers wanting to meet more precise Required Navigation Performance standards. Certification of the new Citation Sovereign aircraft is planned for early 2013.

Developed by Northrop Grumman's navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF, the LCR-100 provides navigation information relating to the aircraft's position, heading, and attitude. The gyro-compass feature eliminates the need for a magnetic sensing unit, similar to an inertial reference system.

The LCR-100N offers extended coasting performance that enables the aircraft navigation system to maintain its accuracy and continue to provide navigation information in the event of GPS signal loss.

"The selection of Northrop Grumman LITEF to provide navigation systems for select Cessna Citation business jets will contribute to long-term cost savings for Citation operators," said Eckehardt Keip, managing director for Northrop Grumman LITEF. "Early flight tests have indicated a smooth integration of our systems with the avionics suite and demonstrated the high-performance capabilities of our products."