Aircraft Navigation

Kearfott has a long history of providing a wide range of navigation products for manned and unmanned aircraft. Our INS/GPS, IMU and modular IMU Kits are based around the proven high performance Monolithic Ring Laser Gyro (MRLG) and MOD VIIA accelerometers. The powerful, compact and lightweight design of the Kearfott family of aircraft navigation products provides rugged and reliable operation for a variety of applications and environments.

INS/GPS
IMU
IMU KIT

Proven Technologies

precision_motors
  • Monolithic design
  • Compact size
  • High accuracy
  • Excellent reliability
  • High accuracy
  • Long life/ Low noise
  • Lower power consumption
  • Closed loop design
  • High accuracy
  • Compact size
  • Force rebalance design
  • Excellent reliability
  • Superior reliability
  • Embedded GPS INS
  • Sensor fusion algorithm
  • CMMI3 software process

Datasheet: INS/GPS

INS/GPS

Kearfott’s INS/GPS provides high performance in a small, lightweight envelope for a wide variety of applications spanning from rotary to fixed-wing platforms, manned or unmanned. Utilizing Kearfott’s Monolithic Ring Laser Gyro (MRLG) and MOD VIIA pendulous accelerometers, the INS/GPS provides heading, attitude, velocity, and position information necessary for navigation. The INS/GPS system tightly couples the inertial sensors with an Embedded GPS Receiver (EGR) capable of providing the performance needed while operating through adverse environments. For configurations requiring PPS capability, the EGR utilizes a proven 24-channel GPS SAASM engine able to provide high accuracy measurements under extreme conditions, and provides real-time Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) and Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) per RTCA/DO-229. An SPS configuration is available for applications not requiring PPS capabilities. Primary communication consists of MIL-STD-1553B, RS-422, and/or RS-232, depending on application needs.

  • Lightweight package
  • Small envelope, < 300 cubic inches
  • Utilizes C/A code DGPS corrections
  • Navigational and flight control outputs available
  • Minimizes weight contribution at the aircraft level
  • Capable of being installed in confined areas or have multiple systems on board
  • Increases position and altitude accuracies
  • Provides angular rates (Δθ) and linear accelerations (Δv) for applications requiring information at the inertial sensor level

IMU

Kearfott offers a variety of IMUs addressing Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) while meeting the demanding performance needs required by today’s applications operating within GPS denied environments. Consisting of a Monolithic Ring Laser Gyro (MRLG) and three MOD VIIA accelerometers, our IMUs provide linear accelerations and angular rates for inertial measurement or autopilot purposes as well as local (body) delta angle and delta velocity information for inertial navigational capability. The strap-down system provides interconnection for power, discretes, and message I/O. IMU communication is configurable to meet application needs. External shock and vibration isolators provide mechanical support and interface with the mounting structure. Isolators and the mounting structure are configurable for application-specific vibration, shock, dynamic response, and bandwidth requirements providing significant mechanical design flexibility at the application level. If desired, Kearfott offers IMUs pre-packaged in custom chassis, reducing or eliminating the need for specific procedures or tools.

  • High-performance MRLG and accelerometers
  • Compact envelope
  • Isolation design configurable for platform requirements
  • Nuclear radiation hardened configuration available
  • Provides exceptional accuracy for size and weight
  • Supports envelope constraints at the platform level
  • Maintains performance over extreme shock and vibration
  • Capable of surviving radiation effects

Datasheet: IMU

Datasheet: IMU

IMU Kit

Kearfott specializes in providing IMU kits for applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and munitions that require unique mounting installations due to housing constraints. IMU kits allow installation flexibility while eliminating weight associated with IMU chassis housing. Each IMU Kit is comprised of an Inertial Sensor Assembly (ISA) and an electronics board. The IMU kit provides all interconnects needed for power, discretes, and message I/O between the ISA, electronics board, and interface for the application. Primary communication is performed by means of RS-422, and can be configured as necessary. External shock and vibration isolators provide ISA mechanical support and interface with the mounting structure. Isolators and the mounting structure are customizable for application-specific vibration, shock, dynamic response, and bandwidth requirements providing significant mechanical design flexibility at the application level. If desired, Kearfott offers IMU kits pre-packaged in custom chassis housings, reducing or eliminating the need for specific procedures or tools associated with mounting sensitive instruments requiring isolation.

  • High-performance MRLG and accelerometers
  • Compact & modular
  • Customizable ISA isolation configuration
  • Customizable I/O
  • Providing exceptional accuracy for its size and weight
  • Supports envelope constraints at the application level; capable of being installed in confined areas
  • Withstands battlefield shock and vibration level which maintaining high accuracy performance
  • Ideal for retrofit installation into exisiting application where GPS denied could prevent mission success

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