Northrop Grumman Partnering with US Navy to Transition Fleet to Automated, Digital Navigation and Mission Planning

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – November 2, 2026 – Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is making strides in enhancing the U.S. Navy’s navigation capabilities for surface vessels with the introduction of the AN/WSN-12 Navigation Processor Module (NPM). This development comes as part of a three-year, low-rate initial production contract, emphasizing Northrop Grumman’s extensive experience and commitment to providing reliable navigation systems to the Navy’s fleet.

• The AN/WSN-12 serves as a modern replacement for the well-established AN/WSN-7, also produced by Northrop Grumman and currently operational within the fleet. The NPM is designed to process and distribute vital navigation information, enabling crews to execute missions safely and employ weaponry with increased confidence.

Under the terms of this contract, Northrop Grumman will proceed with the production of the AN/WSN-12 NPM units, which will be utilized in the installation across various naval platforms. The NPM is engineered to function seamlessly with the Inertial Sensor Module, which is also developed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

Expert Insight:

Erika Herbert, Vice President of Naval & Oceanic Systems at Northrop Grumman, stated: “Assured navigation is critical for the Navy’s surface and subsurface fleets. With the AN/WSN-12 entering production, we are providing a more precise and resilient navigation solution that endorses safe operations and the effective deployment of weapon systems.”

The AN/WSN-12 navigation cabinet, integrating the Navigation Processor Module now in Low-Rate Initial Production paired with the fielded Inertial Sensor Module. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Key Details:

The NPM is pivotal to the AN/WSN-12 system, providing highly precise and reliable navigation data crucial for shipboard combat systems, weaponry, and mission planning applications.

As an advancement from the long-serving AN/WSN-7, the AN/WSN-12 system offers an upgrade that can be broadly integrated among various Navy platforms and supports a transition towards more automated, digital navigation and mission planning methods.

Northrop Grumman’s navigation technologies significantly enhance situational awareness for ship watch officers, enabling them to carry out their missions with increased safety and adaptability through integrated bridge systems, WSN-7 and WSN-12 inertial navigators, as well as electronic charting solutions.

As a recognized leader in the aerospace and defense technology sector, Northrop Grumman is dedicated to providing innovative solutions that empower clients to secure and connect globally while advancing humanity’s exploration efforts across the cosmos. Our workforce is driven by a shared mission to tackle our clients’ most pressing challenges, redefining the boundaries of what is possible every day.

Source: Northrop Grumman (2026-11-02T17:00:00Z)