ARPA AND ARMY COMPLETE JOINT DEMONSTRATION OFADVANCED NAVIGATION SET
The Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and Army
Missile Command (MICOM) today announced the successful completion of a joint
field demonstration of an advanced navigation set on a Fire Support Team
Vehicle (FISTV). FISTV operators from the Fort Sill Artillery School, Fort
Sill, Okla., conducted the demonstration on the Army Test and Evaluation
Command Laser Test Range, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala., with the support
of MICOM and contractor personnel. Tests were conducted June 10-12, 1995.
For the tests, the FISTV was equipped with ARPA's Phase One Global Positioning
System (GPS) Guidance Package, known as the GGP. The advanced navigation
capabilities of the GGP provided the FISTV with more timely vehicle geolocation
and laser designator pointing (azimuth and elevation) data than is available
with the current FISTV geolocation/guidance equipment, enabling the FISTV to
better accomplish its mission of locating and designating enemy targets.
During the tests, the performance of the GGP-equipped FISTV was compared with
that of a second vehicle equipped with the current North Seeking Gyroscope
(NSG) and a Precise Location GPS Receiver (PLGR). The GGP demonstrated faster
gyroscope settling time, response and target location times.
Target engagements using GGP were completed seven minutes faster than
engagements using the NSG/PLGR. This gave the GGP-equipped FISTV system a
three-to-one advantage in number of targets acquired over the conventional
FISTV. In addition, GGP provided greater stability of measurement accuracy
over continuous, extended periods of operation.
The GGP also demonstrated better FISTV geolocation accuracy, more accurate
azimuth and elevation measurements, and better target location accuracy. For
example, azimuth pointing measurements by GGP were 10 times more accurate than
those provided by the NSG. Elevation pointing by GGP was approximately twice
as accurate as those by the NSG. Finally, GGP demonstrated accurate navigation
(less than three meters error) of the FISTV over a 10 kilometer course on the
MICOM range.
The GGP navigates either by receiving signals from GPS satellites, or by using
its miniature inertial navigation system (INS), or both GPS and INS in a
tightly coupled, integrated navigation mode. The integrated GPS/INS is
intended for use on highly dynamic platforms like missiles and aircraft. The
recent test on the FISTV shows its application for ground vehicles where
improved accuracy as well as reduced operations and maintenance costs are
expected.
ARPA's GGP program manager, Maj. Beth M. Kaspar, said, "The test conditions on
the range were unexpectedly harsh. The equipment successfully operated at
ambient temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and at average
integrated vibration levels in excess of three Gs. This environment is
consistent with combat vehicles running over rough terrain in a warm
climate."
The GGP was developed by Litton Industries, Woodland Hills, Calif., and
Rockwell International, Collins Avionics and Communications Division, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, under ARPA sponsorship. The program will shortly begin its
second phase during which the performance will be increased and size, weight
and power will be significantly reduced.
