Next Generation Inertial Reference Unit (NG-IRU)

The Air Force is pursuing aircraft and satellite-based high power laser systems to engage and destroy missiles at long ranges (hundreds to thousands of kilometers). A precision inertial reference unit (IRU) is critical to successful operation of longrange, high power laser systems for missile defense. The IRU enables the system to accurately point the payload telescope and attached tracking sensors to acquire the target and to hold the laser beam precisely on a vulnerable area. However even the bestcurrent state-of-the-art IRU cannot meet the precision required in some future optical payloads. Phase I feasibility was determined by affirmative results in two criteria: (1) successful design, fabrication and performance test of the key inertialsensor, and (2) simulated performance of the proposed NGIRU design concept at or below the 20-nrad-stabilization error goal. Both of these criteria for feasibility have been met. Three ATA innovations are key to meeting the stringent performance goals ofa state-of-the-art IRU: (1) high-bandwidth, low-noise sensors; (1) an agile, small, symmetric platform; and (3) novel digital algorithms that achieve the requisite active isolation of the IRU from base motion. The Phase II R&D will focus on designing,building, and demonstrating our innovative technology advancements.