High-End Tactical Grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Technology for Missile Defense

There is a need for tactical IMUs with better accuracy than the state of the art. We at Digital Optics Technologies (DOT) have been developing the superluminal ring laser gyroscope (SRLG) and superluminal ring laser accelerometer (SRLA). During Phase I of this program, we developed a new design that serves both functions simultaneously, a superluminal ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer (SRLGA). Three SRLGAs combined will produce a superluminal inertial measurement unit (SIMU).Performance parameters for the SIMU are expected to be at least four orders of magnitude better than those for current tactical grade IMUs while meeting the SWaP goals of this program. In Phase II, we will take the laboratory-scale SRLGA we have already assembled and use it as the basis to develop a portable SRLGA that will fit in a 16x20x7 box which will be tested and evaluated. We will also develop the complete design of a compact SIMU that will meet the SWaP goals of less than 20 cubic inches in volume, weighing 1 pound, and using 5W of power, and be robust toshock, vibration and radiation.Construction, testing and commercialization of the SIMU will occur in Phase III. Honeywell will serve as a subcontractor.