What Kearfott Corporation does

Kearfott Corporation is a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of inertial guidance, navigation, and motion control systems serving aerospace and defense customers. Founded in 1917 and headquartered in Pine Brook, New Jersey (with a Motion Systems Division in Black Mountain, North Carolina and an operational site in Matamoros, Mexico), the company operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of America and employs over 600 people across its two divisions. Its product portfolio centers on monolithic ring laser gyros (MRLG), fiber optic gyros (FOG), inertial measurement units (IMUs), embedded GPS/INS systems, ATACS indirect fire control, CONEX-gyro line-of-sight stabilization systems (DAHA for M1A2 Abrams, CMS for Littoral Combat Ship), position sensors (resolvers, LVDT, RVDT), motors, and control stick assemblies.

The company's core technology is vertically integrated in-house manufacturing of precision gyroscopes, accelerometers (MOD VIIA), and electro-mechanical components, with over 100,000 inertial systems and more than 4 million precision components produced over its history. Recent platform programs include the NxIMU, NxNAV EGI, and the R-EGI (Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS) open architecture developed with IS4S, General Dynamics-Mission Systems, and Collins Aerospace for the U.S. Air Force, plus a strategic alliance with Skyline Nav AI for visual-inertial navigation and selection for the UK Ministry of Defence PYRAMID program.

Kearfott generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise hardware sales to defense primes and government customers via a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process, supplemented by FAA-certified maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services from its Black Mountain repair station and AOG parts distribution through Kellstrom Aerospace. Pricing is contract-based and not publicly disclosed. Customer mix is concentrated in U.S. military services (Army, Air Force, Navy), allied defense programs (Korean Aerospace Industries KF-X), commercial aerospace (Cessna Citation Longitude via Crane Aerospace), and space (Blue Origin), with channel reach through dedicated sales, tradeshow presence (Joint Navigation Conference, AUSA, Farnborough), and ITAR-free export pathways for select products such as the T24 SeaNav.

Name

Kearfott Corporation

Legal name

Kearfott Corporation

Website

https://kearfott.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Kearfott Corporation designs and manufactures inertial guidance, navigation, and motion control systems — including ring laser and fiber optic gyro IMUs, embedded GPS/INS, line-of-sight stabilization, and precision position sensors — for U.S. and allied defense, aerospace, maritime, and space customers. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Navigation Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Motor Encoders, Feedback & Condition Monitoring (Encoders, Vibration, Predictive) (IMAGACAJ), Guided Missile & Rocket Manufacturing (IMABAHAA)

Keywords

• Inertial navigation systems
• Motion control systems
• Aerospace defense components
• Gyro accelerometer sensors
• Flight control components

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodland Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Kearfott generates revenue primarily through the sale of guidance, navigation, and motion control hardware products including inertial navigation systems, inertial measurement units, position sensors (LVDT, RVDT, resolvers), motors, actuators, line-of-sight stabilization systems, and indirect fire control systems to defense and aerospace customers.
2. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services: Kearfott operates an FAA-certified repair station providing maintenance and repair services for commercial PMA products and military hardware. Also supports AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations through Kellstrom Aerospace. Offers spare parts inventory support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kearfott Corporation designs and manufactures inertial guidance and navigation systems, motion control systems, displays, and precision position sensors for aerospace, defense, and commercial applications. Its product portfolio includes ring laser gyros, fiber optic gyros, accelerometers, LVDT/RVDT/resolvers, motors, line-of-sight stabilization equipment, control stick assemblies, navigation systems, and related MRO services. The company supports both military and commercial aerospace customers through its Guidance & Navigation and Motion Systems divisions.

Product overview

Kearfott Corporation offers a comprehensive portfolio of guidance, navigation, and motion control products for aerospace and defense applications. The product lineup centers on inertial navigation systems (INS) including Ring Laser Gyro and Fiber Optic Gyro-based IMUs, marine navigation (SeaNav), land navigation (LandNav), and aircraft navigation systems. Motion control offerings encompass actuation products (control stick assemblies), precision sensors (resolvers, LVDT, RVDT, vehicle motion sensors), motors, and line-of-sight stabilization systems (CMS, DAHA) for tanks and ships. The company also provides the ATACS indirect fire control system for artillery. Recent developments include the R-EGI modular open architecture for resilient GPS/INS systems, the NxIMU next-generation inertial measurement unit, and strategic partnerships for AI-powered visual navigation technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inertial Navigation Systems Complete navigation systems using ring laser gyro, fiber optic gyro, and accelerometer technologies to provide position, attitude, and heading reference for aerospace and defense platforms. Sold to U.S. and allied military services and aerospace/defense prime contractors.
• Ring Laser Gyroscope (RLG) Inertial Measurement Units Ring laser gyro-based inertial measurement units providing high-precision rotation sensing for navigation and stabilization subsystems on military and commercial aerospace platforms.
• Fiber Optic Gyroscope (FOG) Inertial Measurement Units Fiber optic gyro-based inertial measurement units for navigation and stabilization applications on military and commercial aerospace platforms.
• Accelerometers Precision accelerometers used as core components of inertial measurement units and inertial navigation systems for aerospace and defense applications.
• Ring Laser Gyro Navigator (RLGN) A ring laser gyro-based navigator product used to provide inertial navigation data on military and commercial aerospace platforms.
• Displays and Display Electronics Avionics and platform display hardware and associated electronics used to present navigation, guidance, and platform data to operators in military and commercial aerospace applications.
• Position Sensors (LVDT / RVDT / Resolvers) Linear (LVDT), rotary (RVDT), and resolver position sensors used in flight control, motion control, and stabilization subsystems on military and commercial aerospace platforms.
• Motors and Electromechanical Actuators Precision motors and electromechanical actuators supporting flight control and motion-control subsystems for aerospace and defense applications.
• Line-of-Sight Stabilization Systems Stabilized line-of-sight subsystems and gun/weapon stabilization systems used to maintain pointing accuracy on military platforms.
• Control Stick Assemblies Pilot control stick assemblies integrating sensors and electronics for flight control input in military and commercial aerospace platforms.
• Circuit Card Assembly Manufacture of circuit card assemblies for internal products and external aerospace/defense customers.
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services Maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Kearfott navigation systems, inertial measurement units, and motion-control products in the field.

Quantifiable outcome

• ATACS reduces first-round fire support time by 20 minutes compared to non-automated systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability6 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UK Ministry of Defence (PYRAMID Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Kearfott was selected by the UK Ministry of Defence among 11 organizations to develop software systems for the PYRAMID program. By adapting Kearfott's existing FACE architecture to the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA) and integrating into Kearfott's NxNAV EGI system, the company demonstrates a robust, GPS-independent solution.
• Skyline Nav AI, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024Kearfott formed a strategic alliance with Skyline Nav AI, a pioneer in visual position and navigation technology. The collaboration aims to jointly produce cutting-edge position and navigation systems that integrate Kearfott's inertial sensors with Skyline Nav AI's computer vision technology, offering GPS-independent navigation solutions for military, aerospace, and commercial markets. Within 12 months, the partnership produced technology recognized as runner-up for innovative technology at SXSW and presented at the Institute of Navigation's Joint Navigation Conference.
• Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2024IS4S serves as the System Design Agent for the R-EGI (Resilient-Embedded GPS/INS) program, performing a best-of-breed development strategy. IS4S leads the government-industry team including Kearfott, General Dynamics-Mission Systems, and Collins Aerospace. Kearfott provides the Next Generation IMU and Safety Critical Navigation Processor for the R-EGI architecture.
• General Dynamics-Mission SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2024Part of the R-EGI Design Agent Rapid Prototype Flight Demonstration team. Produces Large Form Factor (LFF) modified F-16 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) containing the R-EGI architecture. Also provides the Mission Capability Navigation (MCNAV) subsystem.
• Collins AerospacecoreTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2024Part of the R-EGI program team providing the M-Code Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver (GNSSR) for the R-EGI architecture demonstration.
• Kellstrom AerospaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKellstrom Aerospace serves as Kearfott's channel partner for AOG (Aircraft on Ground) support for PMA parts, providing 24/7 AOG coverage through their distribution network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• VectorNav Technologies: VectorNav produces MEMS-based inertial navigation and GPS/INS solutions for unmanned systems, robotics, and commercial aerospace. While not directly competing on high-end RLG programs, it represents the emerging MEMS alternative encroaching on lower-tier Kearfott IMU applications.

Broad incumbents

• Collins Aerospace (RTX): Collins Aerospace supplies integrated navigation, GPS receivers, and avionics subsystems across military and commercial aviation. On R-EGI, Collins provides the M-Code GNSS receiver alongside Kearfott's IMU/SCNAV — making it both partner and adjacent competitor in resilient PNT.
• Northrop Grumman: Through its legacy Litton and subsequent acquisitions, Northrop Grumman produces high-grade inertial navigation systems (LN-100, LN-200) for defense and space applications. Competes directly with Kearfott on EGI, IMU, and ring laser gyro programs across multiple military platforms.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics produces navigation and mission systems for the DoD; on R-EGI, GD-MS provides large form factor F-16 LRUs and the MCNAV subsystem. Competes broadly with Kearfott for navigation subsystem work on major defense platforms.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is the dominant supplier of inertial measurement units, ring laser gyros, and integrated navigation systems for commercial and military aerospace. Directly comparable product portfolio (HG1930 IMU, H-764 EGI, laser gyros) competes head-to-head with Kearfott across RLG/FOG-based navigation.

Direct peers

• Exail (formerly iXblue): Exail is a leading European supplier of fiber-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation systems (Phins, Octans) for naval, marine, and defense applications. Directly competes with Kearfott's SeaNav family in surface ship, submarine, and AUV navigation markets.
• Safran Electronics & Defense: Safran (via Sagem and Sigma inertial brands) produces high-performance inertial navigation systems, FOG-based IMUs, and motion sensors for military and commercial platforms. Directly comparable to Kearfott's RLG/FOG and resolver offerings across European and export defense markets.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris produces inertial measurement units, navigation systems, and position sensors for aerospace and defense — including the LN-100G EGI family and fiber-optic gyro products. Operates as a direct competitor on military aircraft, marine, and ground navigation programs.
• Moog Inc. Moog's Space and Defense segment produces high-precision motion control components, resolvers, and electromechanical actuation systems — directly overlapping with Kearfott's Motion Systems Division (LVDT, RVDT, motors, control stick assemblies, servos).

Others

• Astronautics Corporation of America: Astronautics Corporation of America is Kearfott's parent company, supplying avionics, displays, and electronic systems for military and commercial aerospace. Included as a peer given shared customer base and overlapping avionics integration work, though no longer a direct competitive threat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kearfott
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kearfott-corporation
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kearfott-Corporation-202415196548282

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kearfott Corporation