Gravity Aided Navigation for Navy Platforms

Microcosm in collaboration with ASTER Labs and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems/Sperry Marine will develop a gravity aided inertial navigation systems (GAINS) for SSBNs and other US Navy platforms. Navy policy requires the availability of non-GPS means of navigation and approaches for long-term INS (inertial navigation system) stabilization in the absence of GPS fixes. The principal technical objective of Phase I is to assess the viability of GAINS for demonstration and eventual operational deployment on US Navy strategic submarine fleet and other naval platforms. Phase I planned activities include: Development of adaptive GAINS algorithms and approaches to support a range of platforms, locations and operational scenarios, including site selection signature recognition; Development of detailed solution requirements including key interfaces, outputs and use cases; Development and/or modification of models and simulations for analysis and algorithm validation; Systems engineering to develop the demonstration and operational solution architecture; Gathering and assessment of external resources including gravity field maps, instrument specifications and models, sample operational data, existing algorithms, relevant analytical models and simulations; Analytical simulation runs to support algorithm development and evaluation as well as overall system performance. Phase II will culminate in GAINS system demonstration on appropriate NGES/SM R&D platforms and on USNS Waters.