GPS Augmentation System for Approach/Landing at Civil Airfields

The ability to utilize only GPS P(Y) Code to meet Category I approach and landing requirement at any civil airfield world-wide would greatly enhance the US military"s ability to operate world-wide and provide combatant commanders greater flexibility in air operations. At present, military instrument approaches at civilian airfields use the Instrument Landing System (ILS), the Mobile Microwave Landing System (MMLS) or Precision Air Radar (PAR). Similar to the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) currently under development, all these systems require a ground infrastructure at the airfield. The objective of this proposal is to maximize the use of two existing military frequencies with GPS P(Y) Code without a local ground infrastructure to support all-weather operations at near Category I minima. To minimize the impact on aircraft integration and to allow for must faster commercialization and transition, our novel approach can be integrated into the aircraft without affecting the avionics. Our cutting-edge solution, developed with our partners the Ohio University and Rockwell Collins, encompasses advanced RAIM techniques, signal deformation monitoring algorithms and provides for integration with other aircraft navigation sensors to meet the Category I requirements.