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 for next-generation 1000 km target ranges. ATA proposes to design a Next-Generation IRU (NGIRU) based on a combination of component and system advances that apply knowledge gained by ATA overdecades of hands-on experience with development, application and testing of IRU technology for precision pointing of electro-optical payloads. ATA proposes to create a new level of performance for key components based on its patented innovations in rateand displacement sensors. In addition, ATA proposes using an existing prototype as a testbed to identify, quantify, and push back other IRU performance constraints. The resulting IRU will be an enabling technology for future long-range laser defensesystems. The extremely high precision Next Generation IRU (NG-IRU) and its component sensors are enabling technology for upcoming DoD laser system applications such as Airborne Laser (ABL), Spa