Discover how Kearfott’s cutting-edge navigation technology is redefining space and military operations
Based upon decades of proven component technologies, Kearfott’s innovative solutions ensure program success throughout the lifecycle of customers’ platforms and critical applications. The company’s primary business is the development and manufacture of guidance, navigation, and motion control components and systems for military and commercial applications. John Stanfill, President, shares an overview of Kearfott and its capabilities.
“Kearfott is a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of America, with major operations in Pine Brook, New Jersey; Black
Mountain, North Carolina; Brownsville, Texas; and Matamoros, Mexico. As a vertically integrated manufacturer of guidance, navigation and motion control systems, we provide custom-engineered solutions throughout the entire product lifecycle. Our capabilities encompass research and development, product development, manufacturing, and aftermarket support for aerospace and defense customers. Our history dates back to 1917, when we were established as part of the defense industrial base following the U.S. entry into World War I. By 1932, we had developed our first navigation product, and since then, we have contributed to almost every major U.S. and many international weapon systems, as well as numerous commercial aircraft,” he begins.
Currently, Kearfott focuses on two main market segments: guidance and navigation systems, and motion control systems. “Our navigation systems are utilized in a wide range of applications, including aircraft, military land vehicles, ships, submarines, unmanned aircraft, unmanned underwater vehicles, and spacecraft. Due to this versatility, we proudly state that our technology spans from the seafloor to outer space. Notably, our systems are featured on both Voyager spacecraft, one of which has ventured beyond the solar system and has been operational for over 40 years. We maintain communication with this satellite by pointing the antenna back to Earth,” John continues.
If Kearfott’s groundbreaking solutions are trusted for such critical missions, it is largely due to its significant investments in product development processes. John explains the company’s approach to research and development (R&D) when it comes to creating new and innovative products. “When contemplating new solutions, we seek products that match our unique technology development expertise and manufacturing capabilities with what we identify as critical and enduring market needs. In other words, we aim to find the sweet spot between our core areas of expertise, what differentiates us in the marketplace, and long-lasting market demand. Once we find these opportunities, we make substantial investments to develop products that not only meet market needs but also provide us with a competitive advantage. As a vertically integrated company, our objective is to add unique value that is highly differentiated and not readily available from our competitors. Some of our solutions may be singular in the world, with only a few others able to achieve comparable results. This commitment to innovation is central to our process.”
With a legacy of over 100 years, Kearfott has enjoyed tremendous success and longevity, which John attributes to the company’s core values and dedicated workforce. “Every day, we discuss and reinforce our values with our employees, emphasizing integrity, exceptionalism, employee growth, the importance of doing what we say we will do, and more. Our values are lived and enacted by our team, forming the true heart and soul of Kearfott. Some may think our strength lies solely in our technology, manufacturing capabilities, or all our advanced robotic machines, but those elements will come and go. What truly drives us is our people and what they bring to the table. At the end of the day, we are about fostering ideas and bringing them to life. These ideas stem from our employees’ deep understanding of customer needs and our commitment to align them with our values to foster unity of purpose – not uniformity of people. In fact, we celebrate diversity among our team, as that diversity fuels innovation, yet we must remain unified in our goals and the reasons behind them, and that is where our values
play a vital role.
“Nothing makes me happier than when our customers or partners comment on how they see our values reflected by the Kearfott team. While they may not necessarily praise us specifically for our values, they often express appreciation for how we deliver on our commitments and the dedication of our team, which some clients hold up as a model for their own employees. Hearing such feedback from our customers and partners reinforces that the success of our business depends on our workforce, as they are the people our clients interact with, and they recognize the dedication and values our team embodies,” he reflects.
Last year, Kearfott formed an alliance with Skyline Nav AI (Skyline) to build a new navigation and positioning platform. John updates us on the project’s progress. “Skyline is one of the world’s leading innovators in vision-based navigation utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) with state-of-the-art capabilities. Through this partnership, we are integrating Skyline’s advanced technology and capability into our proven foundation, built over a century of experience at Kearfott. Together, we have created a one-of-a-kind synergy; Kearfott alone could not have developed Skyline’s capabilities without many years and millions of dollars of investment. Similarly, Skyline cannot bring its technologies and capabilities to market quickly and efficiently without substantial resources. Therefore, collaborating and leveraging our distinct capabilities is truly exceptional.
“Evidence of our success is that in only 12 months of partnership, the Skyline and Kearfott product has already been a runner-up for one of the new innovative technologies at this year’s South by Southwest conference. Additionally, at a recent Institute of Navigation’s Joint Navigation Conference, arguably the preeminent conference on navigation technology, we jointly presented a paper showcasing results from applying this capability to ground-based vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and drones, demonstrating very unique outcomes. Part of the reason that this alliance has worked so well is that the cultures of our two companies fit nicely together. We are both product innovators focused on identifying our customers’ needs, and we do not allow egos to get in the way. By working together, we are bringing exciting new solutions to market,” he concludes.
Kearfott’s century-long legacy of innovation and industry leadership is built on a foundation of unparalleled expertise, a commitment to customer success, and a culture that empowers its talented workforce. Looking ahead, Kearfott’s strategic partnerships and relentless pursuit of technological advancement are poised to continue driving new breakthroughs in mission-critical systems.