Tactical Grade MEMS IMUs

Tactical grade inertial measurement units (IMUs) are compact and precise sensors used in defense applications to determine an object's orientation, acceleration, and velocity. Deployed in various platforms such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ground vehicles, tactical IMUs provide essential navigation and guidance capabilities, enabling precise maneuvering, target tracking, and situational awareness in challenging environments.
Overview Tactical Grade MEMS IMUs
By Dr Thomas Withington Last updated: December 3rd, 2024

Widely employed in military aircraft, ships, spacecraft and vehicles, tactical-grade Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) are used extensively to sense, measure and record motion in a moving body.

IMUs are typically utilized to sense an array of motions including acceleration and gravitational force, angle (roll, pitch and yaw) and orientation. Their reliability, low cost, and compact size make them integral components of modern defense systems.

Military-grade IMUs comprise gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers:

  • Gyroscopes measure orientation
  • Accelerometers measure acceleration and gravitational force
  • Magnetometers calculate magnetic field strength to determine orientation with compasses being widely used.
IMU-P MEMS IMU with external GNSS capability by Inertial Labs

IMU-P MEMS IMU with external GNSS capability by Inertial Labs

Output from these systems is fed into a central processing unit which computes the behaviour of the body equipped with the IMU with the output then displayed as data.

By combining gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers into a single inertial measurement unit it is possible to obtain significant information about a moving body’s behaviour; ascertaining angle, speed and position relative to north.

An IMU is not a navigation system, but may form an important part of an Inertial Navigation System (INS).

Inertial measurement unit technology is continually improving. Evolutions throughout the 20th Century were propelled by the exploration of space and the corresponding development of ballistic missiles. For example, fibre optic and laser technology has been incorporated in gyroscope design.

Military Grade MEMS IMUs

IMUs typically utilize microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, which allows for miniaturization without compromising accuracy.

IMU miniaturisation has helped ensure systems can be used in weight and space-constrained platforms like unmanned aerial vehicles, munitions and ordnance.

Advances in computing have also been essential in continually improving the speed and quality of the calculations derived from an IMU and the information that it presents.

Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) play a pivotal role in various military and defense applications, offering unparalleled precision and reliability in navigation, guidance, and stabilization systems. These compact and robust devices incorporate a combination of gyroscopes and accelerometers to

Defense Applications

Military IMUs continuously measure and track an object’s orientation, velocity, and gravitational forces in real-time, independent of external references such as GPS signals.

3DM-CX5-IMU Embeddable high-performance OEM IMU by MicroStrain HBK

3DM-CX5-IMU Embeddable high-performance OEM IMU by MicroStrain HBK

Military Aircraft & Unmanned Aerial Systems
In military aircraft, IMUs serve as critical components in inertial navigation systems (INS), enabling precise positioning and trajectory calculations even in GPS-denied environments or during electronic warfare scenarios. This capability is essential for both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), allowing them to navigate with accuracy over long distances, evade threats, and execute complex missions with minimal reliance on external aids.

Guidance Systems
IMUs are integral to the guidance systems of missiles, torpedoes, and other munitions, providing the necessary inertial data for course correction, target tracking, and terminal homing. By continuously monitoring acceleration and rotation rates, IMUs enable these weapons to maintain their intended flight paths, compensate for disturbances, and deliver payloads with exceptional accuracy.

Military Vehicles
In military vehicles MEMS IMUs enhance navigation capabilities and enable precise positioning for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions. Mounted on tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry platforms, IMUs contribute to situational awareness by providing reliable heading, attitude, and velocity information, enabling commanders to make informed decisions and effectively coordinate tactical maneuvers in dynamic battlefield environments.

Stabilization of Military Platforms
As well as navigation and guidance, IMUs play a crucial role in stabilizing various military platforms, such as cameras, radars, and communication antennas, to ensure steady operation and accurate targeting under challenging conditions such as high-speed maneuvers, rough terrain, or turbulent seas.

By compensating for motion-induced disturbances, IMUs help maintain the integrity of sensor data and enhance the overall performance of military systems across land, air, and sea domains.

 

Products (40)

INS-DM-FI GPS-Aided INS

IP68-rated tactical-grade dual-antenna GNSS-INS based on FOGs & MEMS accelerometers

IP68-rated tactical-grade dual-antenna GNSS-INS based on FOGs & MEMS accelerometers
... an integrated IMU based on tactical-grade fiber optic gyroscopes and MEMS accelerometers. It...
Certus Mini N & Mini D MEMS GNSS/INS

Rugged tactical-grade single- and dual-antenna GNSS/INS

Rugged tactical-grade single- and dual-antenna GNSS/INS
The Certus Mini N and Mini D are rugged IP67-rated GNSS-aided INS that provide accurate and reliable...
Certus Mini A MEMS AHRS Sensor

Rugged tactical-grade AHRS for aerial, marine & land applications

Rugged tactical-grade AHRS for aerial, marine & land applications
The Certus Mini A is a rugged IP67-rated AHRS that delivers accurate and reliable attitude and headi...
3DM-GV7-AR Vertical Reference Unit

Ruggedized tactical-grade IMU/VRU

Ruggedized tactical-grade IMU/VRU
...ged IP68-rated tactical-grade vertical reference unit that is ideal for defense applications...
3DM-GV7-AHRS Attitude & Heading Reference System

Ruggedized tactical-grade IMU/AHRS with integrated magnetometer

Ruggedized tactical-grade IMU/AHRS with integrated magnetometer
...ged IP68-rated tactical-grade attitude & heading reference system that is ideal for defense...
3DM-GV7-INS GNSS-Aided INS

Ruggedized tactical-grade INS with external GNSS input

Ruggedized tactical-grade INS with external GNSS input
...ged IP68-rated tactical-grade inertial navigation system that accepts external position and velocity...
HGuide HG4930 S-Class IMU

High-performance MEMS inertial measurement unit for platform stabilization

High-performance MEMS inertial measurement unit for platform stabilization
...ree-of-freedom MEMS IMU designed especially for platform stabilization applications such as cameras...
Kernel IMUs

Fully-integrated industrial and tactical-grade inertial measurement units

Fully-integrated industrial and tactical-grade inertial measurement units
...s cutting-edge MEMS sensor technology, using three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes to provide...
IMU-P

Advanced three-axis MEMS IMU with external GNSS capability

Advanced three-axis MEMS IMU with external GNSS capability
...IMU-P Tactical-A IMU-P Tactical-S IMU-P Industrial The IMU-P family of MEMS inertial measurement units utilize three-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes...
3DM-CV7-AHRS Attitude & Heading Reference System

Embeddable tactical-grade AHRS for navigation & control

Embeddable tactical-grade AHRS for navigation & control
... an embeddable tactical-grade AHRS in a compact and lightweight OEM form factor, delivering IMU...
3DM-CX5-IMU Inertial Measurement Unit

Embeddable high-performance OEM IMU

Embeddable high-performance OEM IMU
The 3DM-CX5-IMU is Microstrain's most compact and lightweight OEM IMU, designed to meet the needs of...
3DMGQ7 GNSS-Aided INS

Tactical-grade dual-antenna RTK GNSS/INS

Tactical-grade dual-antenna RTK GNSS/INS
... is a powerful tactical-grade navigation solution featuring low-noise and low-drift MEMS inertial...
3DM-CV7-AR IMU & VRU

Tactical-grade OEM Inertial Measurement Unit & Vertical Reference Unit

Tactical-grade OEM Inertial Measurement Unit & Vertical Reference Unit
...e 3DM-CV7 is a tactical-grade combined IMU and VRU in a low-SWaP OEM package, incorporating...
IMU-FI-200T

Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) and MEMS accelerometers based Inertial Measurement Units (IMU)

Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) and MEMS accelerometers based Inertial Measurement Units (IMU)
The IMU-FI-200T is a compact tactical grade IMU that incorporates state-of-the-art three-axis... ...lications, the IMU-FI-200T is ideal for UAV and UUV navigation and control, platform and antenna...
IMU-NAV-100

High-performance navigation-grade IMU

High-performance navigation-grade IMU
The IMU-NAV-100 is a low-SWaP (size, weight and power) IMU based on state-of-the-art MEMS sensor... ...surement Unit (IMU-NAV) is the latest addition to the Inertial Labs Advanced MEMS sensor-based...
ISA-100C

High performance tactical grade IMU

High performance tactical grade IMU
...gh performance tactical grade IMU combines with NovAtel's GNSS technology to deliver 3D position,... The IMU-ISA-100C features Northrop-Grumman Litef GMBH's proven inertial measurement technology...
HG1700 AG62

UIMU-H62 Tactical Grade (RLG) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

UIMU-H62 Tactical Grade (RLG) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
The UIMU-H62 contains Honeywell's HG1700, a tactical grade IMU containing Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) and... ...Economical, tactical grade OEM IMUs from Honeywell.
HG1700 AG58

UIMU-H58 Tactical Grade (RLG) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

UIMU-H58 Tactical Grade (RLG) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
The UIMU-H58 contains Honeywell's HG1700, a tactical grade IMU containing Ring Laser Gyros (RLG) and... ...Economical, tactical grade OEM IMUs from Honeywell.
HG1930

OEM-HG1930 MEMS IMU

OEM-HG1930 MEMS IMU
...nical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) manufactured by Honeywell. It provides tactical... A proprietary MEMS Interface Card (MIC) couples the HG1930 with SPAN receivers, offering a unique,...
µIMU-IC

Combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to provide 3D position, velocity and attitude solution

Combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to provide 3D position, velocity and attitude solution
......High performing MEMS IMU offers continuous and stable positioning. The µIMU-IC features Northrop Grumman Litef GmbH’s proven inertial measurement technology...
KVH1750

Provides continuous 3D position, velocity and attitude solution

Provides continuous 3D position, velocity and attitude solution
...The IMU-KVH1750 offers tactical grade performance in a compact and rugged package. The IMU-KVH1750 is designed to be paired with NovAtel's OEM6® line of receivers. Commercially...
LN200

IMU-LN200 Tactical Grade Fiber Optic Gyros (FOG) - LN200 IMU

IMU-LN200 Tactical Grade Fiber Optic Gyros (FOG) - LN200 IMU
The IMU-LN200 contains the Northrop Grumman LN200 IMU. The LN200 is a tactical grade IMU containing... Tactical grade, low noise IMU combines with NovAtel’s GNSS technology to provide 3D position,...
ADIS 16488

Commercial MEMS IMU delivers 3D position, velocity and attitude

Commercial MEMS IMU delivers 3D position, velocity and attitude
Commercial MEMS IMU integrated with SPAN® technology that delivers 3D position, velocity and... ...f Life for OEM-IMU-ADIS-16488....
EG320N

Commercial MEMS IMU combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to deliver 3D position and velocity

Commercial MEMS IMU combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to deliver 3D position and velocity
...anical System (MEMS) IMU from Epson. It features low noise gyros and accelerometers in a small,...
EG370N

Commercial, MEMS IMU with higher data rate and improved accuracies

Commercial, MEMS IMU with higher data rate and improved accuracies
The OEM-IMU-EG370N is a high performing Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement...
STIM300

Commercial MEMS IMU combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to deliver 3D position and velocity

Commercial MEMS IMU combines with SPAN GNSS+INS technology to deliver 3D position and velocity
Commercial MEMS IMU which integrates with SPAN® technology to deliver 3D position, velocity and... ...anical System (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) from Sensonor. It features low noise gyros and...
HG4930

Provides 3D position, velocity and attitude

Provides 3D position, velocity and attitude
The OEM-IMU-HG4930 is a small and affordable high-performance MEMS IMU that is combined with SPAN... The OEM-IMU-HG4930 is a high performing Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement...
CIRUS-A

Strategic-Grade High-Performance FOG IMU

Strategic-Grade High-Performance FOG IMU
...surement Unit (IMU). It is engineered for inertial navigation, guidance, pointing, and stabilization... ......e legacy in delivering strategic-grade FOG-based products for diverse applications....
TAC-450-360

Tactical-grade Photonic IMU for UAV & Autonomous Vehicle Applications (Non-ITAR)

Tactical-grade Photonic IMU for UAV & Autonomous Vehicle Applications (Non-ITAR)
...he TAC-450-360 IMU from EMCORE is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of modern military... ... with inertial-grade accelerometers and tri-axis magnetometers, the TAC-450-360 ensures exceptional...
EN-300

Precision Fiber Optic IMU (Non-ITAR)

Precision Fiber Optic IMU (Non-ITAR)
...surement Unit (IMU) is engineered to exceed the demands of modern military applications, providing... ...ional standard IMU delta velocity and delta theta outputs....
TAC-440

World’s smallest tactical-grade 1°/hour IMU

World’s smallest tactical-grade 1°/hour IMU
The TAC-440 MEMS-based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is engineered to deliver unparalleled... ...rformance: The IMU achieves 1°/hour gyro bias stability and 1 mg accelerometer bias stability, with...
SDI500

Tactical-grade quartz MEMS IMU for rugged military environments

Tactical-grade quartz MEMS IMU for rugged military environments
...dustry-leading MEMS technology to deliver unprecedented angle random walk values of 0.02°/√hr.,... ......roviding cutting-edge inertial measurement unit (IMU) capabilities for optimized military...
SDI170

Tactical-grade MEMS IMU alternative to legacy RLG systems

Tactical-grade MEMS IMU alternative to legacy RLG systems
... EMCORE SDI170 IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) offers unparalleled performance and reliability,...
DMU41 MEMS IMU

High-performance alternative to FOG IMUs

High-performance alternative to FOG IMUs
...est-performing MEMS IMU, providing tactical-grade performance with a more than 40% reduction in SWaP...
DMU11 MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit

6-DoF IMU for high-volume motion sensing & control applications

6-DoF IMU for high-volume motion sensing & control applications
... is a low-cost IMU designed for high-volume motion sensing and control applications requiring... ...nd lightweight IMU outputs built-in test results, delta theta and delta velocity information on an...
VN-100 Rugged IMU/AHRS

Miniature industrial-grade IMU & AHRS

Miniature industrial-grade IMU & AHRS
...surement Unit (IMU) and Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) in a precision-machined anodized...
VN-100 Surface Mount Device IMU/AHRS

Miniature, lightweight and high-performance IMU & AHRS in Surface Mount Device (SMD) packaging

Miniature, lightweight and high-performance IMU & AHRS in Surface Mount Device (SMD) packaging
...surement Unit (IMU) and Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS). Combining 3-axis accelerometers,...
VN-110 IMU/AHRS

Rugged and Miniature Tactical-Grade IMU and AHRS

Rugged and Miniature Tactical-Grade IMU and AHRS
...he VN-110 is a tactical-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Attitude Heading Reference System...
VN-210 GNSS/INS

Tactical-grade GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS)

Tactical-grade GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS)
...he VN-210 is a tactical-grade, high performance GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS)...
VN-310 Dual-Antenna GNSS/INS

Tactical-Grade GNSS/INS with Integrated GNSS-Compass

Tactical-Grade GNSS/INS with Integrated GNSS-Compass
...he VN-310 is a tactical-grade, high-performance Dual Antenna GNSS-aided Inertial Navigation System...

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