AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES
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MEMS the Word: Meet Our Near Navigation-Grade Tactical IMU
MEMS the Word: Meet Our Near Navigation-Grade Tactical IMU
Honeywell is breaking new ground in inertial navigation with the HG3900, a small, lightweight and low-power tactical-grade MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) that delivers accuracy and reliability on par with near-navigation-grade IMUs.
The HG3900 is an all silicon microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology in a low size, weight and power (SWaP) package that meets or exceeds the performance of IMUs using fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) or ring laser gyroscope (RLG) technology.
Extensive in-house testing demonstrates the HG3900 is a highly capable, lower SWaP alternative to RLG- and FOG- based IMUs, and that MEMS inertial sensors can now deliver tactical-grade performance.
HG3900 prototypes have successfully completed full environmental testing by the U.S. Army / NTA Labs. Design verification will begin in 2026, and initial production and deliveries will start in 2027. We are currently accepting orders for pre-production units for delivery in 2026.
For more information on the HG3900, join us at the Joint Navigation Conference, June 2-5, 2025, in Cincinnati. Click to view our abstract: “HG3900 All-Silicon MEMS Near-Navigation Grade Inertial Measurement Unit with Demonstrated RLG Stability”
What Makes the HG3900 IMU Unique
The HG3900 is the first IMU to use all-silicon MEMS gyros and accelerometers, significantly reducing its cost and SWaP profile. Designed as a replacement for the HG1900, which features MEMS gyroscopes and quartz accelerometers, the HG3900 delivers a 20x performance improvement with Honeywell’s next-generation MEMS sensors.
IMUs are critical components in aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, ships, guided munitions, surface and underwater autonomous vehicles, spacecraft and other applications where precision pointing and navigation are essential. Using gyroscopes, accelerometers and electronics, they provide real-time data on position, direction, speed and distance travelled.
Advanced MEMS IMUs like the HG3900 are highly resilient and provide accurate navigation and orientation data with or without global navigation satellite system (GNSS) inputs. They’re designed to function independently for extended periods when GNSS signals are jammed, spoofed or simply unavailable.
The HG3900 performs extremely well under demanding conditions, including high vibration and dynamic temperature changes.
MEMs technology is a game-changer in the evolution of IMUs, enabling tactical-grade systems to become lighter, smaller, more power-efficient and more affordable. MEMS are also easier to mass produce, which Honeywell does at a high-volume fabrication facility near Minneapolis.
