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Air Force Awarded Honeywell Gyroscope Contract

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory selected Honeywell to advance navigation sensors for use without GPS.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Quantum Computing

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a metallic gyroscope mechanism in navy, cream, and red, representing aerospace navigation technology.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory awarded a $25.6 million contract to Honeywell Aerospace to develop specialized radiation-hardened gyroscopes for navigation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded Honeywell Aerospace a $25.6 million contract for the development of a compact, radiation-hardened gyroscope. The project aims to create strategic-grade navigation sensors designed to function in space and during nuclear events.

Why it matters

This technology provides a critical navigation alternative for military assets that must operate in environments where GPS signals are unavailable or compromised. The development builds upon existing research to ensure reliable positioning for space-based operations.

The project is developing a compact strategic-grade radiation-hardened gyroscope, building on a prior $41.6 million design contract. The government has committed an initial $500,000 in fiscal 2026 funding toward the $25.6 million total.

The players

Honeywell Aerospace

This is a major aerospace manufacturer and technology company that provides advanced navigation and defense systems for government and commercial partners.

U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

This is the primary scientific research organization for the United States Air Force and Space Force responsible for developing new technologies.

Kirtland Air Force Base

Located in New Mexico, this installation serves as a key hub for research, development, and testing for the United States Air Force.

The details

Work on the navigation sensors is scheduled to occur at the Honeywell Aerospace facilities in Clearwater, Florida. The contract is managed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory based out of Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Timeline

  1. The Air Force awarded a prior design contract in 2020.

  2. The initial contract was scheduled to conclude in August 2025.

  3. The government committed $500,000 in fiscal 2026 funds at the time of award.

  4. Project completion is expected by July 1, 2029.

The Tech Race

This project continues the integration of high-precision navigation technologies into military hardware, moving beyond traditional satellite-reliant systems. It follows the trajectory of previous U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory navigation research programs intended to secure reliable positioning.

This defense research contract does not have an immediate effect on the daily technology or consumer electronics used by Clearwater residents. The project is focused exclusively on specialized military navigation hardware rather than commercial software or hardware releases.

The takeaway

This development highlights the ongoing shift toward creating autonomous navigation systems that do not rely on external signals. Ensuring that military sensors can withstand radiation and space environments remains a top priority for defense technology investment.

Further reading

For more information on the evolving landscape of advanced sensor development, visit the Quantum Computing section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Defence Blog.

Live Poll

Should the federal government increase its budget for developing advanced, specialized military navigation technology?