TABLE OF CONTENTS In this section, the role of inertial sensors and systems is examined in applications where it is necessary to maintain a vehicle-mounted sensor pointing in a given direction in the presence of vehicle motion disturbances. These disturbances may be demanded manoeuvres or random effects such as turbulence-induced motion.
Included in this section is the application of inertial systems for the measurement and control of relative alignment between stations on a flexible vehicle or craft. Inertial measurement techniques for the characterisation of vehicle motion are also considered.
Modern combat aircraft are highly sophisticated and capable multi-role systems. They gain much of this capability from the use of distributed systems to provide enhanced functionability, as well as resistance to combat damage and the opportunity to incorporate new function data onto a platform after entering service. Because modern aircraft may well have a service life in excess of 30 years, there is a need to incorporate technology and systems as they develop and mature throughout the total lifetime of a platform. Technology insertion enables enhancement in performance, allowing the full potential of an aircraft to be achieved, as well as optimisation of the investment in the aircraft.
A distributed system of components provides greater flexibility for integration of a new system into a range of host platforms, including retrofit to so-called legacy aircraft. It is considered easier to integrate a number of small sub-system modules and components into an aircraft, rather than attempting to fit a single...
