Precision Optical Navigation Guidance System (PRONG)

FOMS Inc. and University of Southern California propose to develop the PRecision Optical Navigation Guidance (PRONG) system to provide continuous, high quality range and bearing data to fixed wing aircraft during landing approach to an aircraft carrier. The PRONG system uses infrared optical communications with advanced modulation and coding to measure range between ship and aircraft with accuracy and precision better than 1 meter at ranges more than 7.5 km (4 nm). The system includes an innovative electro-optical receiver design which measures bearing from aircraft to ship with accuracy and precision better than 0.5 mRad (0.03 degrees). The PRONG system provides real-time range and bearing updates to multiple aircraft at rates up to several kHz, and duplex data transmission between ship and aircraft.