Terrain-aided navigation of an unpowered tactical missile using autopilot-grade sensors
Abstract
The feasibility of applying a terrain-aided navigation concept (Sandia Inertial Terrain-Aided Navigation, or SITAN) to an unpowered tactical missile (USAF GBU-15) is considered. The brief flight time and predictable missile flight path dynamics lead to the definition of a velocity-based strap-down navigation algorithm that uses the existing autopilot-grade sensors. The navigation states are corrected by means of the error estimates of a Kalman filter. The filter makes use of frequent radar altimeter measurements and terrain slope information (derived from an on-board digitized map) to provide essentially continuous position updating. Covariance analysis and Monte Carlo simulation techniques are then applied to predict system performance. Results are obtained showing that the accuracy of this weapon/guidance combination is sufficient to defeat airfields with area munitions.
- Publication:
-
Guidance and Control Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982guco.conf...71L
- Keywords:
-
- Automatic Pilots;
- Guidance Sensors;
- Inertial Navigation;
- Missile Control;
- Strapdown Inertial Guidance;
- Flight Paths;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Radio Altimeters;
- Systems Integration;
- Systems Simulation;
- Weapon Systems;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking