The team conducted the test using a six-axis quantum inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU was integrated into a full inertial navigation system and deployed on a Beechcraft 1900D for the series of flight tests. A quantum IMU is designed to be more accurate than conventional IMUs. The improved accuracy can lead to reductions in navigation errors from tens of kilometers at the end of a long flight to as little as tens of meters.

The IMU uses a quantum-sensing technique called atom interferometry to detect rotation and acceleration using atoms, providing navigational accuracy and precision without a GPS reference.

The IMU consists of three quantum inertial sensors, each of which measures single-axis accelerations and rotations of the airplane. The IMU keeps track of the path the airplane has taken from its initial position. Boeing engineers integrated the quantum inertial sensors with additional sensors and hardware to ensure reliable performance in flight. The result was the first known quantum-enabled navigation system of its kind.