Advancements in Inertial Navigation: Exail’s UmiX Series at DSEI 2025

At the DSEI 2025 exhibition, Exail unveiled the UmiX Series, a breakthrough in miniature inertial measurement units (IMUs) designed to address the complex navigational and stabilization requirements inherent in advanced defense and aerospace applications. As operational theaters become increasingly demanding, the need for reliable navigation data becomes paramount for mission success across various platforms.

Precision Meets Compact Design

The UmiX Series exemplifies the cutting-edge intersection of compact design and high-performance capabilities. Comprising models designed for both civilian (UmiX 40-5DU) and military (UmiX 40-5MG) markets, these IMUs employ an architecture characterized by three fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and three iXal-S vibrating beam accelerometers.

Technical Specifications

• Dynamic Ranges:
  • UmiX 40-5DU: ±490°/s
  • UmiX 40-5MG: ±2000°/s
• Common Characteristics:
  • Angular random walk: 8 m°/√h
  • Bias instability: 10 m°/h (1σ)
  • Thermal bias residue: 50 m°/h (1σ)
  • Thermal scale factor: 40 ppm (1σ)
  • In-run bias: 0.02°/h (1σ)
• Accelerometer Performance:
  • UmiX 40-5DU: ±30 g dynamic range
  • UmiX 40-5MG: ±100 g dynamic range
  • Bias instability: 2 µg (1σ)
  • Residual thermal bias: 250 µg (1σ)

With dimensions of 88.9 mm in diameter and 75 mm in height, both IMU models weigh less than 770 grams, providing significant advantages in terms of integration and versatility across platforms ranging from unmanned systems to operational aircraft.

Robustness in Harsh Conditions

Exail has designed the UmiX series to withstand severe environments, ensuring operational reliability under challenging conditions. Their technical specifications include:

• Power consumption: Under 4.5 W at ambient temperature, with a maximum of 7 W across a -32°C to +71°C range
• Hermetically sealed enclosures, ensuring waterproof capabilities
• Vibration tolerance: Up to 5 grms in the 20-1000 Hz range
• Shock resilience: 40 g shocks for 11 ms
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 80,000 hours

Equipped with an RS422 communication interface, these systems enable data transmission at rates from 100 to 10,000 Hz, assuring seamless integration with existing military and commercial technologies.

Transformative Applications in Defense and Aerospace

Engineered with versatility in mind, the UmiX Series is well-suited for various applications, especially in defense and aerospace.

Potential Uses:

• Military: Guidance systems for munitions, optical stabilization, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) for land and naval operations
• Aerospace: Long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones, nanosatellite navigational systems
• Naval Operations: Surface and underwater navigation technologies
• Civilian Sectors: Autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics, geosciences

With a capacity for ensuring navigation stability even in GNSS-denied scenarios, the UmiX Series is poised to be a critical asset for both military operations and civilian engagements requiring self-sufficient positioning solutions.

Strategic Implications for European Sovereignty

The significance of Exail’s ITAR-free products cannot be overstated. With an emphasis on local manufacturing and complete control over components, the UmiX Series contributes to Europe’s vision of securing its supply chains for vital defense and technology resources. This aligns with broader efforts to enhance strategic autonomy in critical sectors such as navigation and mission control.

Exail’s UmiX Series not only sets a high standard for precision in compact navigation technologies but also represents a pivotal stride toward the asymmetrical advantages necessary for modern military and civilian applications. Thus, the series positions itself as an essential high-precision navigation solution that meets the evolving needs of both armed forces and civilian enterprises seeking innovative, reliable technologies.

Image credits: Exail, photo by J. Roukoz