A Modular Composite Gimbal and Control Architecture for Improved Precision and Disturbance Rejection in Airborne Applications

This effort investigates an advanced modular composite gimbal architecture for application to high performance acquisition, tracking, and pointing (ATP) systems. The effort focuses on application to the Airborne Laser (ABL) and similar directed energy systems. A key contribution is a proof-of-concept demonstration of Gimbal Adaptive Disturbance Rejection for dramatically improving disturbance rejection and pointing performance of the gimbal system. Additional innovations include: an athermalized bearing design that optimizes stiffness characteristics, mechanical and electronic techniques for improving motor drive performance, and a composites fabrication methodology for improving structural performance while significantly lowering manufacturing costs. The proposed research offers an immediate opportunity to improve performance of existing acquisition, tracking, and pointing systems via improved disturbance rejection and pointing capabilities. Longer term it enables future gimbal systems that will be less costly to manufacture and maintain, smaller and lighter, lower power, and provide significantly improved disturbance rejection and pointing capabilities.