Submarine launched ballistic missile - Improved accuracy

The Improved Accuracy Program, a U.S. Navy advanced technology development program which is to provide the capability for predicting with confidence the costs and schedules associated with achieving quantified accuracy improvements in future submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) systems, is presented. The stellar inertial Trident I system, which is the baseline upon which improvements are being considered, is summarized. The program attempts to: (1) establish improved understanding of SLBM accuracy related technology, and (2) to identify and develop accurate instruments for associated tradeoffs for current and future SLBM weapon system design, test, and operation. Accuracy models constitute a useful tool for predicting system performance under untested conditions or for evaluating required system changes. A number of data gathering systems are described, including LONARS, Velocity Reference System, Missile Impact Locating System, and SATRACK, a recently designed and implemented system for tracking of the missile in flight by a set of GPS satellites. Model verification, a quantitative comparison of the measurements to the system, subsystem, and component error model, and data analyses will provide confidence to the SLBM modernization program.