What is an IMU?
An inertial measurement unit is the foundational sensing element in any inertial navigation architecture. It combines three-axis accelerometers and three-axis gyroscopes to measure linear acceleration and angular rate along all six degrees of freedom. These raw measurements feed into higher-level systems, attitude estimation, navigation filters, and control loops, making IMU quality the single largest determinant of overall navigation performance.
Every navigation system, from a compact drone autopilot to a high-speed guided projectile, begins with the IMU. The accuracy, stability, and environmental resilience of the inertial sensors set the performance ceiling for everything that follows. A system can compensate for many things, but it cannot recover from poor inertial data at the source. VectorNav pioneered this approach in 2009 with the first fully calibrated surface-mount MEMS IMU/AHRS, and over 120,000 deployed units later, that same rigor defines every IMU that leaves our AS9100D-certified facility.
WHY VECTORNAV
PROVEN LEGACY MAKING INERTIAL SMALLER AND SMARTER
Introduced in 2009, the VN-100 IMU/AHRS was the first solution on the market to offer calibrated, high-performance, industrial-grade MEMS sensors, and quality sensor fusion algorithms in a single surface-mount package.
Today, VectorNav is powering the future with smarter inertial systems that deliver tactical-grade performance in more efficient, compact solutions.
INDIVIDUALLY CALIBRATED ACROSS THE FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE
VectorNav calibrates every IMU individually for bias, scale factor, and three-axis alignment across the full -40°C to +85°C operating range. By mapping and correcting thermal behavior at the unit level, performance remains consistent and predictable, not just in the lab, but in real-world conditions where systems deploy.
HIGH-RATE DATA WITH LOW SIGNAL NOISE
VectorNav IMUs deliver clean, high-bandwidth inertial measurements that stabilize quickly and maintain integrity in dynamic environments. Industrial and Tactical units provide up to 800 Hz IMU and 400 Hz navigation output, enabling precise control and reliable navigation.
ANY PLATFORM. ANY MISSION. ANY CONDITION.
VectorNav IMUs are engineered to be application-agnostic. Four packaging options and two sensor performance levels offer maximum SWaP flexibility and integration compatibility. No matter the mission, VectorNav has a navigation solution.
LEAD TIMES THAT KEEP PROGRAMS MOVING
With over 100,000 sq ft of AS9001D-certified production space, ITAR-Free hardware, and a tightly managed supply chain, VectorNav ensures product availability without schedule uncertainty.
Standard lead times are less than one week for Industrial units and just 3-4 weeks for Tactical units. Keep integration on track, eliminate delays, and ensure accuracy with VectorNav IMUs.
