Absolute Attitude and Heading Reference Measurement System

The Army’s One Tactical Engagement Simulation (OneTESS) program is adopting a sensor based approach to obtain weapon’s aim point. Current absolute attitude and heading reference system uses magnetometers to obtain heading information. However, the magnetometers are highly sensitive to a variety of random error sources such as sun spot activity and hard/soft –iron effects. These error sources are random and cannot be accurately characterized and modeled. We propose novel Celestial Absolute Heading Reference System, which continuously measures and reports absolute heading relative to the Earth’s true north with an accuracy of 1 mil without the use of pre-emplaced infrastructure and does not relay on the use of magnetometer. In Phase I program, we will validate feasibility of the proposed approach. We will define the technical requirements for Celestial Absolute Heading Reference System that meets the accuracy, power, and cost metrics, develop an initial conceptual design, determine requirements for data processing and interfaces for the brass board prototype. Under Phase I option, we will define critical components and sub-systems.