Miniaturizable INS/GPS/IR Sensor-based Navigation System for Small Caliber Projectiles

The Light Fighter Lethality (LFL) seeker projectile is a small caliber weapon with INS and imaging sensor. Its size, weight and short flight time places restrictions on guidance and control of a different dimension than normally seen in guided weapons.This project aims at developing navigation filter architectures, guidance laws and integration concepts that would enable LFL seeker projectile hardware development. Loosely coupled INS, GPS and IR sensor-based systems are proposed to maximize use ofexisting miniaturization technology. The main Phase I tasks are to (1) obtain LFL projectile simulation models, (2) develop INS/GPS/IR-sensor based navigation and control systems, and (3) evaluate system performance. Several control laws includingclassical proportional navigation and modern robust control will be investigated. Phase I option period will be used to identify hardware issues and promising technologies that may permit a prototype demonstration in Phase II. Scientific Systems Company,Inc will be supported by Draper Laboratory in all phases of the project. Integration of GPS, INS, and passive imaging sensors is essential for intelligent autonomy. The proposed work has direct applications in formation flying, distributed spacecraft, telerobotics, intelligent automobiles, rendezvous and docking operations,cinematography.