JTIDS relative navigation and data registration

The author presents the fundamental relationships of JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) navigation and the error analysis for target registration and target hand-off in both geodetic and relative grid coordinates. Simulation results are provided for two scenarios which demonstrate the level of improvement that JTIDS navigation can have on situation awareness, target acquisition, and weapon delivery. Specifically, it is shown that accurate data registration can be achieved by as few as two JTIDS members, with or without accurate knowledge of geodetic position. The results clearly show that JTIDS relative navigation can provide excellent target registration and target hand-off performance. Furthermore, this can be achieved autonomously by as few as two flight members, relying only on their onboard dead reckoning systems, target sensors, and JTIDS